Penn State Health, College of Medicine experts and community members come together for open discussion on Black health
A Penn State Health physician and a public health doctoral candidate from Penn State College of Medicine joined other local physicians to discuss “The State of Black Health” on Feb. 3. The forum focused on critical health challenges affecting the Black community, including access to quality care and persistent health disparities, and strategies to drive meaningful change.
WATCH THE RECORDING: https://youtu.be/7KCI8u8KIjc
The panelists shared their insights on how social, economic and environmental factors shape health outcomes and highlighted opportunities to improve health equity across central Pennsylvania. Dr. Bernadatte Gilbert, a Penn State Health family medicine physician, discussed the impact of cardiovascular disease on the Black community, while Victoria Francois, a doctor of public health candidate at the College of Medicine, highlighted the impact of benign gynecological conditions on Black girls and women.
Other panelists included:
- Dr. Joseph Thomas, family medicine physician, Thomas Family Practice
- Dr. Sharee Livingston, chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UPMC Lititz
- Jacqui Johnson, founder and executive director, Sankofa Healing Studio
“This was a valuable opportunity to connect with community members and have open, meaningful conversations about improving the health outcomes of the Black community,” Gilbert said.
“This timely event sparked a necessary dialogue about the health issues that matter most to the Black community,” Francois said.
Penn State Health and Highmark cosponsored the forum in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg.
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