Our June 2023 Men’s Health edition is dedicated to my father, Walter Pearson, Sr. who died from heart disease when I was 14 years old. Back then, I was unsure about my future without him.
A recent article published in The Washington Post titled, “Men’s Health Life Expectancy: A Silent Crisis in Men’s Health Gets Worse”, exposed the frank realities about how men, their healthcare providers and even the larger society see men’s health. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has found myself urging and practically begging a male friend or loved one to go to the doctor for a preventative screening, or to get checked for something they wanted to believe was “not that bad.” Come on, men. According to the article, a silent crisis in men’s health is shortening the life spans of fathers, husbands, brothers and sons.
Black men have the highest cancer death rate at 227.3 per 100,000. Among Black women, the cancer mortality rate is 149 per 100,000.
In this issue I’m standing on my soapbox (magazine) and sounding the alarm to encourage ALL men to TAKE TIME TO BE HEALTHY. Now is the time. Our cover story spotlights Chageekee Owen Blackwood, a phenomenal Native American from our community who did just that. His story of resilience and restoration is eye-opening. All of the content in this issue is about encouraging and supporting men on their physical and mental health journey.
Congratulations are in order. John W. Bluford, III, founder of the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute passes the baton of leadership to Spencer Hardwick, the newly appointed Executive Director.
Summer is just around the corner. Be healthy and safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones to make the world a better place for all of us.
Ruth Ramsey
Publisher and CEO
