Celebrating Black History Month and Making Strides Forward — Susan G. Komen’s Commitment to Health Equity

Black history is American history. As we celebrate Black History Month, we take the opportunity to look back on the hardships, achievements, and contributions of the African American community throughout our country. Our country’s past shapes the landscape that we are surrounded by today. It is vital to look back so that we may move forward and ultimately progress to become a nation where all are truly treated the same, regardless of the color of their skin.

While equity for the Black community has improved over time, discrimination persists in part due to biases, both implicit and intentional. These assumptions are formed through exposure to stereotypes, social conditioning, and contribute to systemic inequalities and bigotry. America’s record of labeling and prejudice against Black people has contributed to substantial health inequalities amongst community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. Breast cancer does not discriminate, and African American women face unique challenges that amplify the burden of this disease. In fact, Black women are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer and are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages and with more aggressive types of breast cancer than white women. Additionally, Black women have a lower 5-year relative breast cancer survival rate compared to white women.

These disparities in breast cancer outcomes are not only issues of health; they’re also byproducts of a larger problem of systemic injustices. Members of the Black community are still dying from breast cancer more than other populations due to the unique biology of their breast cancer, combined with inequities in health care that include reduced access to quality care, disproportionately low insurance coverage, poverty and systemic racism. A recent study showed that only 5.7% of physicians were Black individuals, though they constitute nearly 14% of the U.S. population, and diversity in the health care workforce is proven to increase access to health care for communities of color. Racial, ethnic and social injustices create barriers to affordable, life-saving health care, cultural responsiveness in the health care community and so much more.

Ultimately, representation and access to care are amongst the most life-saving measures one can rely on and Susan G. Komen is tackling these disparities head on. To gain a better understanding of the existing barriers that drive these inequities, Komen worked directly with the Black community to launch a multiyear analysis of 10 metropolitan areas that experience the largest gaps in mortality between Black and white women. In 2021, Komen published the results of this analysis in Closing the Breast Cancer Gap: A Roadmap to Save the Lives of Black Women in America. This series of reports found Black women are often ignored by their health care providers and face significant barriers to receiving the care they need due to a legacy of systemic racism, implicit bias and below-standard care.

In response, Komen launched Stand for H.E.R. – a Health Equity Revolution, a program based on this analysis to remove the barriers to high-quality breast health care Black women across the U.S. need. Komen’s comprehensive approach through Stand for H.E.R. includes five key health equity drivers to create change:

Education that equips specific groups and communities with knowledge about breast health
Patient support that ensures connections to timely, high-quality care
Workforce development that improves diversity and cultural sensitivity of health care workers
Public policy and advocacy that promote health equity
Research that is representative and benefits all

By leveraging this approach through Stand for H.E.R., Komen is committed to collaborating with Black communities, policymakers, researchers and other key allies to help create a world without inequities, where Black people have the same chances of surviving breast cancer as anyone else. The funds you raise at the Komen 3-Day help make this possible.

As we commemorate Black History Month, let us not only celebrate achievements but also acknowledge the ongoing struggles faced by many, particularly in the realm of healthcare. The fight against breast cancer demands a collective effort to eliminate disparities and promote equal access to resources. Susan G. Komen’s commitment to education, outreach, and cultural sensitivity serves as a beacon of hope in the quest for a future where every individual, regardless of their background, can face breast cancer with the support and resources they deserve. Together, let us bridge the gap and make breast cancer a thing of the past ? for everyone.

For more information about Komen’s commitment to achieving health equity, visit our Health Equity homepage, and discover how to become a Policy Advocate, an Advocate in Science, or register for Navigation Nation. To learn more about the support available, visit the Patient Care Center, explore our Financial Assistance Program, or contact our Breast Care Helpline.

Healthy Living: Preparing Your Mind, Body and Bones for the 3-Day

Thanks to the support of Amgen and working in partnership with American Bone Health we are excited to provide you with a special series of emails, blogs and additional resources that will help prepare you for this life-changing event, as well as year-round health.

Why calcium is important and how you can incorporate it into your diet

Special Guest Contributor: Shirin Hooshmand PhD, RD

Whenever I speak with people about bone health, they always have the most questions about calcium.

Calcium is one of the most important and plentiful minerals in the body. When calcium combines with phosphate, it becomes the material that makes the bones and teeth strong. We also need calcium for transmitting nerve impulses, contracting muscles and clotting blood.

The body regulates the calcium that is circulating in the blood and tissues. Calcium is absorbed in the intestines and either reclaimed or excreted by the kidneys. If the blood level of calcium falls, glands in the body signal the bones to release calcium into the blood. Over time, if that calcium isn’t replenished, bone loss could occur. That is why it is important to get enough calcium, preferably through food.

Vitamin D and calcium work together. When calcium works its way through the stomach and into the intestines, vitamin D helps with absorption of calcium into the blood stream. Without sufficient vitamin D, you will absorb less calcium from your diet.

Child r en need the most calcium while their bones are growing. For women, after peak bone mass is obtained, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calcium goes down and then goes up again around the age of menopause, when women start to lose bone mass because of declines in estrogen levels. As we age, calcium metabolism is harder to maintain and the RDA stays the same.

Life stage group	Calcium RDA	Calcium rich servings	Vitamin D RDA
9–18 years old	1,300	4	600
19–50 years old	1,000	3	600
MEN: 51–70 years old	1,000	3	600
WOMEN: 51–70 years old	1,200	4	600
71+ years old	1,200	4	800

Sometimes it’s easier to think about calcium in terms of servings of food. Getting calcium from food is the best option since your body is better able to put it to use. The best sources of dietary calcium are foods that have 200 or more milligrams per serving. This includes dairy or calcium-fortified foods such as milk, cheese, fortified juices and cereals, and you will see on the labels that they contain anywhere from 200 to 400 milligrams per serving. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds have smaller amounts of calcium, and the calcium in fruits and vegetables attaches to fiber and passes through the body.

Try to find three or four sources of high amounts of calcium that work for you each day. You can also think about how to have one source of a high amount of calcium at every meal.

HIGH CALCIUM FOODS (contain 200+ mg)	MODERATE CALCIUM FOODS (contain 50-200 mg)	LOW CALCIUM FOODS (contain <50 mg)
Dairy Foods	Almonds	Nuts and seeds
Sardines	Beans	Broccoli
Fortified cereals	Canned salmon	Cabbage
Fortified soy milk	Green vegetables	Fruits
Fortified tofu	Breads

What if I’m lactose intolerant?

People who are lactose intolerant are at risk of not getting enough calcium. There is no cure for lactose intolerance, but here are some things you can do to reduce symptoms.

Try to reduce the amount of lactose per serving rather than avoiding it. Some studies show people with lactose intolerance can eat at least 12?grams of lactose (equivalent to 1 cup of milk) with minor or no symptoms. When lactose is taken with other foods, some people can tolerate up to 18?grams.

Shop for lactose-free milk. Milk that has been treated with lactase is widely available and often well tolerated by people with lactose intolerance.

Think about hard cheeses. Hard cheeses, such as most cheddars, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Romano, do not have lactose since their lactose is changed into lactic acid as the cheese ages.

Try soy-based beverages that are fortified with calcium. Soy-based beverages are the only plant-based option listed on MyP l ate. Other plant- and nut-based beverages, such as rice and almond beverages, may not have the same nutritional value as soy. It’s important to read food labels carefully.

Most importantly, try to get a balanced diet with 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. With a balanced diet, you are sure to get all of the additional vitamins and minerals you need for strong bones.

About Dr. Hooshmand

Shirin Hooshmand, PhD, RD, is a member of the American Bone Health Medical and Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Hooshmand is Associate Professor of Nutrition at the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University. She received her PhD at Florida State University working in the area of nutrition, bone, and cartilage. Her current research interests include bone and calcium metabolism, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, and functional foods. She has published 45 original articles in peer reviewed journals and presented more than 90 abstracts in national and international symposiums.

Join us for the next Komen 3-Day webinar: From Reducing Breast Cancer Disparities to Achieving Health Equity

Join us as Susan G. Komen^®continues our 3-Day webinar series. Komen believes that where you live should not determine whether you live and we believe that all women should have equal access to quality breast health care. We are committed to closing the gap in access to high-quality health care to ultimately end breast cancer disparities. We will discuss why this commitment is such an important part of Komen’s Bold Goal and how we are working in communities across the United States to save lives.

This webinar will be hosted by:

Amber Livingston – 3-Day Specialist
David Vaught – Komen Research Grants Manager
Shyrea Thompson – Senior Advisor to the CEO for Special Initiatives at Susan G. Komen^®

The webinar will be 30 minutes long and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. Invite your friends, family and donors to participate and learn more about how the money you raise helps support Komen’s mission.

WEBINAR TOPIC: From Reducing Breast Cancer Disparities to Achieving Health Equity
DATE: Tuesday, November 8
TIME: 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. CT
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR TODAY: Click HERE to Register

Hope to see you there!