July 2025
- Smith Herring Stewart
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
SMITH* HERRING*
STEWART
Family
Sibley *
Campbell
Black Health Matters: Prioritizing Wellness In Every Generation
Introduction
In every heartbeat of a community lies its strength, and in every generation, the well-being of its people determines its future. For the Black community, health has long been a deeply rooted issue—one shaped by systemic inequities, cultural resilience, and an unwavering commitment to thrive. The conversation around wellness must now move beyond awareness into intentional, generational action. Because Black health does matter—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
A Legacy of Resilience
From the trauma of slavery to the enduring impact of racial discrimination in healthcare systems, Black Americans have faced significant health disparities for centuries. And yet, amid these challenges, there exists a powerful legacy of resilience: community elders who relied on holistic remedies, families who shared wisdom through generations, and grassroots movements that have tirelessly advocated for health equity.
But resilience alone cannot close the gap. To truly prioritize Black wellness, we must also dismantle the structural barriers that perpetuate disparities in access, quality of care, and health outcomes.
Understanding the Disparities
Black Americans are statistically more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. Maternal mortality rates among Black women are alarmingly high—three to four times that of white women. Mental health struggles are often unaddressed due to stigma, lack of culturally competent care, and socioeconomic stressors.
These disparities are not rooted in biology but in decades of underinvestment, implicit bias in healthcare, environmental injustice, and limited access to nutritious food, safe housing, and quality care.
Health is More Than a Doctor’s Visit
True wellness is holistic. It encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. For the Black community, this means creating safe spaces where people can talk openly about mental health, seek preventive care without fear, eat nourishing foods, move their bodies joyfully, and access culturally affirming providers.
Community health organizations, churches, schools, and families all play a role in reshaping the narrative. Wellness should not be seen as a luxury—it is a right.
Empowering the Next Generation
Every generation deserves the chance to live fully and freely. By prioritizing wellness now, we can ensure that future generations are not burdened by the same disparities. Here’s how we begin:
Education: Teach health literacy early, including nutrition, reproductive health, and mental well-being.
Advocacy: Support policies and programs that invest in Black health equity—from maternal care to Medicaid expansion to mental health services.
Access: Expand access to Black healthcare professionals and culturally responsive care.
Conversation: Normalize discussions about mental health, trauma, and self-care within families and communities.
Celebration: Honor and uplift the practices that have sustained Black wellness—whether it’s plant-based eating, dance, prayer, or storytelling.
Wellness Is a Form of Liberation
When Black people are healthy, communities flourish. Children dream bigger. Elders live longer. Families thrive. Prioritizing wellness in every generation isn’t just about surviving—it’s about reclaiming joy, power, and the right to a vibrant, healthy life.
Because Black health isn’t just a moment—it’s a movement. And it matters now more than ever.
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