Journal

“Sounding the Alarm on Black Infant Mortality: College-educated Black Women Are Also At-Risk”

2008-04-25T14:42:08Z

By Gina E. Wood,
Deputy Director of the Joint Center’s Health Policy Institute
April 24, 2008

The United States overall infant mortality rate is high in comparison with other major industrialized nations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2002 the U.S. infant death rate ranked 28th against selected countries, placing us considerably behind Western European and Scandinavian nations as well as Japan, Canada, Israel, Greece, New Zealand and Cuba. More alarming still is the huge disparity between infant death rates for blacks and whites in this country. Nationwide, infant death rates are 2.5 times as high for African American babies than for white babies. This black/white disparity in infant death rates has either held steady or widened since 1980.

To investigate these disturbing trends, in 2005 the Joint Center’s Health Policy Institute (HPI) established an Infant Mortality Commission entitled the “Courage to Love.” Rather than view the growing disparity between African American and white infant deaths rates as solely a medical problem, the Commission focused on examining the social determinants – economic, environmental, behavioral and community conditions – that serve as root causes.

As part of the Commission’s work, research by Dr. Fleda Mask Jackson of Emory University has uncovered significant linkages between the stress of gendered racism, anger, and anxiety. Anger and anxiety are causal factors for hypertension, diabetes and obesity – ALL of which are risks for poor birth outcomes. Dr. Jackson’s study of African American women in Atlanta also indicated specific manifestations of depression resulting from racial, cultural and gender experiences of discrimination. Moreover, pregnant African American women in this study also expressed fears about the racism that would be directed at their children. The fact that inequality is a causal factor in high rates of Black infant mortality in this country – even among highly educated Black women – needs to be handled as a civil rights issue of paramount importance.

Two Black Elected Officials Moving to Higher Offices

2008-03-12T20:27:26Z

By David Bositis
Senior Research Associate
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

David Paterson, New York state’s lieutenant governor, will move into the state’s top job next week after Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s resignation takes effect on Monday, March 17.

Paterson (D-NY) is the third African American elected governor in the history of the United States. Douglas Wilder (D-VA), elected in 1989, was the first black governor, and Deval Patrick (D-MA), elected in 2006 was the second. David Paterson, running with Elliot Spitzer, was elected lieutenant governor of New York in 2006.

David Paterson was first elected to office in 1985 representing a state senate district, which had been represented by his father, Basil Paterson, who was the first African American to hold statewide office in New York after being appointed secretary of state by Governor Hugh Carey in 1979.

David Paterson rose through the ranks in the state senate to become the senate minority leader before being tapped by Spitzer as his running mate in 2006. He is not only distinguished by being the first black governor of New York, he is also legally blind, which makes him the first governor in U.S. history with that disability.

H. Carl McCall was the first African American elected to statewide office, when he became state comptroller in 1994.

In Indiana, Andre Carson, a City-County Council member from Indianapolis, won the right to succeed his grandmother, the late Rep. Julia Carson, in the final 10 months of her term in Congress.

Democrat Carson defeated Republican state Rep. Jon Elrod in a special election Tuesday by winning 54 percent of the vote. A primary will be held in May to decide who will run in the November election for a full term representing Indiana’s seventh district.

Student leader reflects on presidential race in South Carolina

2008-01-25T18:56:52Z

Deven D. Anderson is a senior professional English major at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C. The Andrews, S.C., native participated in the 2007 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Summer Internship Program and CBC Institute “Political Boot Camp.” During his tenure at S.C. State, he has served as president of the Student Government Association (2006-2007), editor of The Collegian and vice president of the campus NAACP chapter. He was selected as a “Who’s who Among American Colleges and University” and is a spring 2005 initiate of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is a page for the South Carolina House of Representatives and a program assistant within the office of the university’s associate vice president of academic affairs.

Dear Joint Center Journal:

The reception for Sen. Barack Obama Tuesday (Jan. 22) at S.C. State University (in Orangeburg, S.C.) was filled with excitement, hope, and inspiration. It was evident that young people are committed to his vision for change; many of them waited in the rain, just barely gaining entry into the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. To see my peers standing in line for something other than a party, refund checks, or a concert shows that someone has “the audacity to hope.” This event only highlights the excitement that students have for Mr. Obama versus the other Democratic candidates. The inspiring message that he has to offer -- along with the celebrity surrogates -- brings something fresh and new.

I served as the coordinator for “The Justice Speak Out” sponsored by Black Youth Vote, a project sponsored by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. This was my first major test as an organizer. Working on a tight time schedule, I collaborated with the “movers and shakers” on my campus including the Student Government Association, (SGA), the NAACP and the Pan-Hellenic Council presidents. We also connected with SGAs at other, neighboring HBCU’s including at: Claflin University (in Orangeburg, S.C.) and Voorhees College (in Denmark, S.C.).

We canvassed the campus, knocked on doors, did e-mail blasts, posted flyers, used Facebook and made announcements in various classes. In spite of the rain and a last- minute change in location, the turnout for the event was wonderful. More than 150 college students from various schools in South Carolina were represented, as well as a group of students from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Even some the members NCBCP drove from Atlanta.

All who were in attendance were empowered by the words of S.C. Rep. Bakari Sellers, BYV! Co-Chair Chancee Lundy and BET’s Jeff Johnson. Students left feeling empowered and excited about making a difference by having their votes count in the upcoming primaries.

Right now, we are in the process of making contact with those in attendance to make sure they go out and vote on Saturday; we are using the information on their pledge cards to reach them. These cards were signed by each person in attendance as a pledge to go out and vote and to make their votes count.

Students are approaching this presidential campaign with a different perspective since South Carolina is a key early primary state. There is universal understanding that South Carolina has the power to influence the nomination for either party because of the diversity of South Carolina, with half of the voters being African-American. I believe that the political atmosphere can be sensed on our campus, so many students have no choice but to give some thought to becoming politically engaged due to the many stops made by various presidential campaigns.

Even if they aren’t talking about it everyday, there is at least some knowledge on the importance of this upcoming election. There are some students who volunteer with the local campaign offices; many of them are a short walk from the campus. I think the candidacy for Sen. Obama has inspired a lot of young voters not only because he is African American but also because he brings that same youthful passion that young people felt during the time of John F. Kennedy and when they heard the masterful rhetoric that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used while moving our people towards freedom.

Sen. Obama so far has had the best presence on this campus. One of his regional campaign offices is located across the street. His wife has been to our campus and Mr. Obama has visited our campus twice, along with many of his notable surrogates. The other candidates haven’t visited campus except for their participation during the 2007 Democratic Presidential Debate sponsored by NBC.

Sen. John McCain has been the only Republican candidate to visit our campus, with little excitement from the students.

Political activity on campus is taking a different direction because we are the largest HBCU in the state as well as the only HBCU that is a public institution. A lot of attention is placed upon our school by those who are seriously courting the black youth vote. I think that students finally understand the importance of being politically engaged and the level of political activity is improving.

A lot of students from S.C. State participated in the “King Day at the Dome” rally (on Jan. 21). Despite the extreme cold, many of our fraternities and sororities turned out in large numbers to celebrate the dream while continuing the fight to remove a symbol of hate and bigotry off the grounds of our State Capitol.

Few students attended the (Democrats’) debate (in Myrtle Beach, S.C.) because of the distance as well as inability to gain entry into the event because of not having a ticket. While those who volunteered with various campaigns were in the area, many students watched the debates in their rooms.

Orangeburg, S.C., professor takes stock of Palmetto state’s role in presidential politics

2008-01-24T00:26:52Z

Orangeburg, S.C., professor takes stock of Palmetto state’s role in presidential politics

Jackie R. Booker is associate professor of history at Claflin University, a historically black institution in Orangeburg, S.C. that is next door to another HBCU, South Carolina State University. A native of North Carolina, he has lived in South Carolina for 10 years.

Dear Joint Center Journal:

The reception for (Sen. Barack) Obama last night (Jan. 22) at South Carolina State University was tremendous. Students began lining up at 5 p.m., and he was not scheduled to speak until about 8 p.m. The capacity of Smith-Hammond-Middleton Auditorium is about 1,000 or a little more, and it was packed. This was his second trip to the SCSU campus, and it was like the first trip, a movement for many students and community people.

Obama spoke for 40 minutes on a variety of issues. Some students were overcome with excitement with Obama. But I would ask, ‘how many are registered to vote and will vote on Saturday?’

The role of Claflin University students will not be significant in the campaign. At this small campus, many students have shown little interest in the primary and are not up on the issues from each candidate. Granted, a small number have volunteered for each candidate (Clinton, Obama, and Edwards), but they are not wearing campaign buttons, etc. every day.

My sense is that blacks in general are excited about the role South Carolina will have in this campaign, not just students. There is always some apathy among students, but in general, many people, black and white, are excited about voting this Saturday. Obama leads in the polls by 10 points, and I suspect he will carry the black vote, male and female (especially the latter). It seems that Obama's campaign in the state has more energy, some of it infused when Obama and Oprah attracted some 40,000 people to (the University of South Carolina’s) Williams Brice Stadium -- a football stadium half full.This primary will be historic in that blacks are likely to cast 50 percent of all votes. The weather will be good on Saturday so that will increase the percentage of those participating.

Obama has been to SCSU twice, while Sen. Clinton spoke at Claflin's June 2007 Commencement. Bill Clinton came to Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, but by far, Obama has attracted larger crowds and there is more enthusiasm for
Obama, especially among Black women.

Overall, it seems that the Democratic candidates, especially Obama, have come to more campuses than the Republicans.

Generally speaking, most Republicans have not visited any of the historically black colleges or universities in the state that I am aware of.

(Mike) Huckabee went to Clemson, and I read that attendance was not good. Most often, Republicans go to Greenville, Spartanburg, or Charleston but not to college campuses in those cities. Fred Thompson did have a good crowd (about 200 people) at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College last week but of course he has dropped out of the race.

There is more excitement on Claflin’s and State's campuses because of the candidacy of Obama. He has really energized young people, especially at S. C. State where they had the first Democratic debate last fall. There was a tremendous buzz in the community before, during, and after that debate, and Obama, more so than Sen. Clinton, had kept that buzz going.

Where Obama has seemed to really engage people here is in the black churches. Some people have dubbed him the young "King" (in reference to a young Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.), and for me that is too bad; African Americans need to stop looking for a "messiah" in every young African American male who comes along and offers a social, economic, or political agenda. There was only one Dr. King. There will never be another one.

There was one bus from Claflin at the King Day at the statehouse dome celebration (in the state capital of Columbia), attended by some 8,000 people on a cold day. The demonstration permit predicted 5,000, so that number was easily exceeded but did not come near the 20,000 plus who attended the rally in 2000 to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse dome. It was removed in a compromise in 2001 but remains on the grounds of the statehouse, still symbolic of race hatred and oppression.

Many students attended, not only from Claflin but also from Benedict College and Allen University, (two other historically black colleges) both in Columbia, from Morris College in Sumter and from S. C. State. It would be hard to guess how many, but several hundred would be a good start.

Few students attended the Democratic candidates’ debate in Myrtle Beach. With the debate on a Tuesday night, most would have classes the next day. It’s likely that some students from Florence (Coastal Carolina University and other schools in the region) likely attended. Few of the candidates have spent much time in the area, except Edwards.

I have had limited political involvement. I have, however, read extensively on each one of the candidates both in local newspapers and national papers as well as magazines. I am old fashioned in that I still get most of my news from printed sources.

My wife Kathy and I have not discussed the candidates, in terms of our voting preferences.

The more I read about Edwards, the more I am convinced, although he will not get the nomination, that he is the best of the three. Polls indicate that he might get 15 percent of the vote Saturday, although he won the primary in 2004. Obama may be too liberal for most of the country, with his skin color another factor. Some whites, no matter what they say in exit polls, will not vote for a black candidate. Sen. Clinton is a moderate on most issues and thus not radical enough for me; but she presents the Democrats' best chance of winning in November.

Who will I vote for on Saturday? It will be voting-time decision.

----

Let us know what you think.

Harvard Fellows Visit Health Policy Institute

2008-01-19T03:24:55Z

The Joint Center’s Health Policy Institute was host to winners of the Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at a seminar where the future health policy leaders engaged in a discussion of the social determinants of health.

Gina Wood, deputy director of HPI, introduced the fellows to programs underway at the Joint Center during their visit on Thursday, Jan. 17. One highlight was a preview of “Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick,” a PBS series, due to air in March, that was produced with significant support from the Joint Center and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

The fellows also learned about efforts to increase diversity in the health professions led by the Sullivan Alliance, and about a variety of health-related research projects that the Joint Center is spearheading.

They even discussed the presidential campaign and the work on political participation that the Joint Center and its allies among black elected officials in the National Policy Alliance have planned.

The fellows program prepares doctors for leadership roles in shaping public health policy and practice. They complete academic work leading to Master of Public Health degrees from the Harvard School of Public Health. Other program activities provide them with insight on the major health issues facing minority, disadvantaged and underserved populations.

The fellows are Connie Gistand, a hospitalist at West Jefferson Medical Center, Marrero, La.; Keila Lopez, chief pediatric resident at University of Chicago Children’s Hospital, Chicago; Audra Robertson, chief resident in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston; Judith Steinberg, medical director of Neponset Health Center, Dorchester, Mass.,; Mallory Williams, a fellow in surgical critical care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston; Monica Le, a women’s health fellow in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harbor UCLA, Torrance, Calif.; and Brian Swann, a dentist with Dental Solutions II, San Jose, Calif.