Credit: El Tecolote

How to find hope in uncertain times     The big idea: In a response to the new presidential administration, El Tecolote is starting a brand new column focused on the mental health of its readers, published in both English and Spanish.The fine print: It’s called Querida Consejera and is written by Michelle Gutierrez, a therapist and former photo editor of the outlet. With the new space, she aims to answer readers’ questions and provide tools and insights, akin to “a culturally rooted ‘Dear Abby,’” as she puts it.Getting started: In the first post, a reader named Alma wrote in and asked, “I am feeling very nervous about the deportations. What should I do? How can I have hope?” Gutierrez responded with comforting validation about common emotions surrounding the government’s flurry of attacks on immigration, such as grief, anger and fear. Then, she offered tangible ways to regulate them and stay clear-headed and grounded in something positive. Words of advice: Her tips started at the physical level. Try this out: tap into breathing slowly and deeply while welcoming and acknowledging any and all thoughts and feelings. After a few minutes, envision a calm, peaceful place. How are you feeling now? This kind of practice can signal safety to our brains and bodies and help us think and feel more clearly, Gutierrez explains. After that, it’s important to lean on community and loved ones as you take care of yourself. Gutierrez recommends looking for ways to bring comfort or joy into your life, seeking out people who make you feel cared for, and being careful about which media you follow and how much you consume. From the source: “Hope is the trust that something good will happen. It can feel distant when you’re overwhelmed, but hope is a feeling we can nurture,” Gutierrez writes. “The science of healing shows we can help our brains and bodies move out of survival mode.”More guidance in El Tecolote →

Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

Deaths of hip-hop artists reveal the alarming state of Black men’s healthThe big idea: The frequency of famous male hip-hop artists dying in their 40s and 50s shines a light on the health disparities Black men face, whether they are involved in music or not, Capital B reports. The stakes: The news media often gravitates toward covering deaths related to gun violence and drug overdoses, especially when it comes to hip-hop. That bias obscures Black men’s stark vulnerability to things like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Their life expectancy is just 70 years, among the lowest for any racial or ethnic group in the U.S.What are the factors?: While public health advocates point to the lack of healthy food and green spaces in Black neighborhoods, the constant stress of systemic racism — especially in medicine — cannot be overstated. As a result, Black Americans often don’t trust the health care system and may have limited access to it, meaning they may take few preventative measures. For high-profile male rappers, there’s also limelight-fueled toxic masculinity to add to the mix, which reinforces a self image built around toughness. Not to mention the fact that record labels don’t provide health insurance to many artists. Tackling the problem: Awareness is gaining momentum as more first- and second-generation hip-hop artists face serious health issues at young ages. In 2023, a group of rappers put out a PSA calling for price transparency in hospitals and insurance companies. Nasir “Nas” Jones also created a foundation to establish health care support for hip-hop’s pioneers, according to Capital B. Read the rest →

Credit: RTI International/Timothy LaRose

What a dismantled USAID could mean for HaitiThe big idea: For a moment, it appeared the Trump administration would be completely shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development. Now, it’s more clear that the independent agency may be brought under more direct federal control, not destroyed. Either way, thousands of employees and millions of dollars of humanitarian aid are stuck in limbo, posing serious questions for Haiti, one of USAID’s largest recipients, The Haitian Times reports. By the numbers: Over $300 million was committed to Haiti for fiscal year 2024. The majority was for emergency responses, and significant portions were also earmarked for HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and food security. The Trump administration’s cuts have caused widespread uncertainty for local aid groups and NGOs that receive USAID funding. Silver lining?: While any aid cuts will cause harm, some also see an opportunity in the development. The USAID structure is not perfect. It prioritizes U.S. interests over communities in need, and its bureaucracy is layered to such a degree that only about half of total aid actually reaches Haiti, according to The Haitian Times. Moving the agency closer to the federal government could make these inefficiencies worse, but also pose an opportunity for Haiti to reduce its reliance on large foreign aid partners and build more sustainable alliances. Get the full analysis →

Highlighting the innovators transforminghealth outcomes in our communities

The story: For Muslim women, the typical gym or workout class can be a pretty restrictive place, in part due to the presence of men and the need to stay covered up. That’s why several women-only fitness clubs are taking off in the Twin Cities, Sahan Journal reports. At the center: Seeing this gap and experiencing the need firsthand, Fatma Sheekh set out to establish the Hawa Women’s Health Club in 2024, offering classes like boxing, strength training, and self defense. Now, another three women-only fitness centers in the area are up and running or are in the works. →Credit: Nicole Neri

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