Topic: Wellness
African Americans and Mental Health: Lower Rates, Worse Outcomes
The Black mental health paradox By and large, African Americans report fewer depression and anxiety disorders than White Americans in national surveys. In the National Survey of American Life, about 10% of African Americans had experienced major depression in their…
Doctor’s Orders: An Overview of Gregory Hall, MD’s Prescription to Better Black Health
By Dr. Kwa David Whitaker, Esq Introduction and Structural Framework In Better Black Health, Dr. Gregory L. Hall deconstructs systemic disparities. This clinical blueprint for over 150 conditions exposes biases within Western medicine while offering precision-based navigation strategies to challenge…
The Hidden Danger of Illegally Obtained Marijuana in the Black Community
Here is something that does not get talked about enough: when marijuana is obtained from the illegal street market, you do not know what you are actually getting. That is not a scare tactic. It is a fact. Legal, licensed…
Gynecomastia vs. Pseudo-gynecomastia in African American Men: The Role of Lifestyle, Hormones, Marijuana, and Alcohol
Gynecomastia vs. Man-Boobs Enlargement of male breast tissue, sometimes called “man-boobs,” is a common but often overlooked condition that can significantly affect physical health, self-image, and psychological well-being. It is more common in older Black men. Pseudo-gynecomastia, also known as…
Vitamin K2, Vitamin D3, and Black Health: Why One-Size-Fits-All Supplement Advice Doesn’t Work
If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve probably seen someone promoting vitamin K2—usually alongside vitamin D3. Influencers call it the “missing link” for bone health. Supplement companies say it protects your heart. Some even claim everyone should be taking…
The Blood Type Diet: Is It Really “Precision Nutrition” for Us?
My patients often ask me what their blood type is. From my perspective, we only check this before surgery in case a transfusion is needed. Why do they ask? It’s usually a supplement they saw on social media or the…
New Year’s Resolutions For Black Health: Give Your Family the Information it Needs
Every year people across the country think of the new year as a new beginning, particularly for their health. Many of my patients take the same approach. “I'll stop smoking at the beginning of the year,” or “I'm going to…
Better Black Health Book
“Better Black Health: A Comprehensive Guide in the Age of Precision Medicine” is a coffee table reference book that should be in every African American’s home. This 400-page book offers a wide range of best practices for improving African American…
African Americans Fear Medication Side Effects
African Americans Fear Medication Side Effects I had a patient come with a number of complaints related to joint pain. His chronic pain was causing him anxiety about his quality of life, and all of these concerns made him feel…
Vanadium Supplements and African American Health: What to Know Before You Buy
What is vanadium? Vanadium is a trace mineral found in small amounts in foods such as mushrooms, shellfish, black pepper, parsley, and whole grains. It is sold as a supplement, usually as vanadyl sulfate, and marketed for blood sugar control…
