Lindiwe Vilakazi, Author at The Washington Informer https://www.washingtoninformer.com/author/lvilakazi/ Black News, Commentary and Culture | The Washington Informer Wed, 18 Sep 2024 20:32:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-Site-Icon-32x32.png Lindiwe Vilakazi, Author at The Washington Informer https://www.washingtoninformer.com/author/lvilakazi/ 32 32 121622320 Whitman-Walker Celebrates a Year in Congress Heights at the Max Robinson Center https://www.washingtoninformer.com/whitman-walker-celebrates-max-robinson-center/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/whitman-walker-celebrates-max-robinson-center/#respond Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1214977 Whitman-Walker is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Max Robinson Center in the Congress Heights community. (Courtesy photo)

Whitman-Walker's Max Robinson Center in Congress Heights has celebrated its one-year anniversary, offering a wide range of health services, research programs, and a cozy atmosphere to the local community.

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Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Emphasizes Importance of Diversity in Clinical Trials https://www.washingtoninformer.com/congressional-black-caucus-foundation-emphasizes-importance-of-diversity-in-clinical-trials/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/congressional-black-caucus-foundation-emphasizes-importance-of-diversity-in-clinical-trials/#respond Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1214982 Moderator Anthony Coley dives into the importance of diverse representation in clinical trials with panelist Teshia Harris. (Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference panel on the Road to Health Equity discussed the importance of inclusive and equitable clinical trials, trusted messengers, and addressing past and present barriers to encourage community engagement.

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The Fight for Unity Health Care Clinics https://www.washingtoninformer.com/unity-health-care-challenges/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/unity-health-care-challenges/#respond Wed, 11 Sep 2024 04:45:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1214444 Dr. Kate Sugarman, a family medicine physician at Unity Health, speaks with union members at the Sudhouse DC. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

Unity Health Care providers are fighting to restore deteriorating workplace conditions, as the union of the District's leading health care clinic has been dealing with inhumane scheduling practices, provider resignations, and mass support staff firings and layoffs.

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Examining the Arduous Journey of Hair Loss https://www.washingtoninformer.com/alopecia-awareness-month-hair-loss/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/alopecia-awareness-month-hair-loss/#respond Wed, 11 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1214448 Kalayna Walker, 20, has faced symptoms of alopecia since the age of 3. Walker, in her book, “Bald Truth,” chronicles challenges with alopecia and, despite years of covering her head with wigs, shares how she’s learned to embrace her natural beauty. (Courtesy of Kalayna Walker via Instagram)

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the scalp, face, and other parts of the body, affecting more than 6 million Americans, and there is no known cure for the condition.

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D.C. Organizations Reach Local Youth In Hopes to Dismantle Drug Crisis https://www.washingtoninformer.com/district-dc-overdose-awareness/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/district-dc-overdose-awareness/#respond Sat, 31 Aug 2024 01:10:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1213677 Chris Thomas from Million Man Vote, Ambrose Lane Jr. (Health Alliance Network), and Prince Hamm from Making A Difference (M.A.D.) speak to students attending the International Overdose Awareness Day event. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)

The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services and the D.C. Health Alliance Network commemorated International Overdose Awareness Day with a community event to connect with District youth, providing resources and tools to prevent substance abuse disorders.

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D.C. Officer Fatally Shot On Duty While Retrieving Firearm https://www.washingtoninformer.com/mpd-officer-fatal-shooting/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/mpd-officer-fatal-shooting/#respond Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:11:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1213647 Investigator Wayne David, a veteran MPD officer, was fatally shot on duty due to a firearm that discharged while he was working to retrieve it down a storm drain on Aug. 28. (Courtesy of Metropolitan Police Department)

Investigator Wayne David, a 25-year veteran of the MPD, was tragically killed in the line of duty after a firearm discharged while he was retrieving it from a storm drain.

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Community Health Expo Prepares Ward 8 Residents for Back-to-School Season https://www.washingtoninformer.com/back-to-school-expo-health-resources/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/back-to-school-expo-health-resources/#respond Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1213560 Nurses Rock DMV Chapter conduct health screenings for the Ward 8 community during their Back-to-School Wellness Expo at the Washington View apartments in southeast D.C. (Courtesy of American Diabetes Association)

The Collaboration for Equitable Health, in partnership with the Black Nurses Rock DMV Chapter, hosted a Back-to-School Wellness Expo in Southeast D.C. to provide health resources to Ward 8 residents, including free screenings, immunizations, and access to health care.

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Examining the Stigma and Barriers Behind Ozempic For Overweight, Obese Patients https://www.washingtoninformer.com/ozempic-gestational-diabetes-stigma/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/ozempic-gestational-diabetes-stigma/#respond Wed, 21 Aug 2024 04:30:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1212893 Some patients taking the medication Ozempic for weight loss face negative backlash as the prescription was initially FDA-approved for patients with type 2 diabetes. (Courtesy photo)

Ozempic, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, has become popular for weight loss, but has also led to negative comments and stigma, as well as a shortage for those in need of it for diabetes treatment.

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Whitman-Walker East of the River Fall Festival https://www.washingtoninformer.com/east-of-the-river-fall-festival/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/east-of-the-river-fall-festival/#respond Wed, 21 Aug 2024 04:30:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1212942 On Aug. 17, Whitman-Walker’s East of the River Fall Festival 2024 at Sycamore & Oak Retail Village in Southeast, D.C., offered a fun-filled day to engage with the community and prepare for the upcoming school year. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

Whitman-Walker's East of the River Fall Festival 2024 featured live music, food, and activities for District youth, providing them with backpacks, school supplies, and a reminder of the organization's commitment to health care and community support.

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Get Up to Date on Immunization Requirements This School Year https://www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-health-vaccinations-back-to-school/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-health-vaccinations-back-to-school/#respond Wed, 14 Aug 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1212290

As back-to-school season is in full swing and families get their students ready with everything they need for the school year, keeping current with required immunizations is an important part of being prepared.   In an effort to fill the gaps in access to health care, DC Health is providing a host of support to local […]

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