Who suffers the most from the opioid epidemic in Minnesota?Opioids have killed more than 4,000 Minnesotans over the past five years, Sahan Journal reports. Through an investigation that examined more than 240,000 death records and included interviews with public health officials, epidemiologists, addiction specialists, harm-reduction advocates, community leaders, and individuals who have battled addiction, the outlet found that these deaths were more likely to occur in three distinct communities of color: Indigenous Minnesotans, Somali Minnesotans and Latino Minnesotans. Specifically, the investigation revealed that from 2019 to 2023, Native Americans were 15 times more likely to die from opioid overdoses than their white counterparts. 

This startling statistic is consistent with data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which shows an increase in national drug overdose death rates for people in this population within the timeframe Sahan Journal assessed in their investigation. In 2011, the CDC declared opioid overdose deaths an epidemic.

“[Minnesota is] no. 1 in terms of Native-to-white disparities in fatal overdoses, by far,” says Dr. Kumi Smith, Ph.D., an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, who teaches public health classes and analyzes national data on opioid disparities. Even as the outlet's investigation shows a plateau in the number of opioid deaths across Native American, Black, Latino, and white groups last year, Dr. Smith says the number of deaths is still intolerably high.

Other findings from the Sahan Journal story, which is the first in a series of articles exploring the disparities of the opioid epidemic in Minnesota, show that the opioid epidemic hits harder among Minnesotans with lower education levels.

Read more here

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Exceeding my life expectancy as a Black disabled womanAfter listening to a podcast about how we understand ourselves, 38-year-old Vilissa Thompson reflects on surpassing her life expectancy by 30 years. Diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta at birth, a rare genetic condition causing bones to break easily, a medical doctor once told Thompson’s grandmother that Thompson would not live beyond eight years old. Now that Thompson’s grandmother has transitioned, the licensed social worker reflects on her life and adds that pushing past ableism has tremendously impacted her outlook — a determination she credits to her grandma. 

"She was my first advocate—something that, sadly, not every disabled child has."

Thompson goes on to write that aging as a disabled person is seen as a privilege, and acknowledges that her social circle has shrunk over the years due to many of her fellow disabled peers not reaching the milestone that she has. She believes that sharing her life story can help her become a role model for other disabled people, as Thompson has done through her work for Prism and her organization RampYourVoice!.

“My very existence bucks against societal expectations and barriers that seek to prevent disabled people from thriving and finding the beauty in our bodyminds,” she writes. “No one has the right to define me but me. My grandmother taught me this.”

Read the column here

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Meet the Black celebrities who are plant-based and proudPlant-based diets offer all the necessary protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals for optimal health, and are often higher in fiber and phytonutrients. Because of its health and environmental benefits, more and more Black celebrities are jumping on the plant-based bandwagon.Here's a look at some of them:

See the full list from Parlé Magazine here

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Vaccines are still key to keeping healthy

A healthy lifestyle is a practice: it can involve several things, from staying active to maintaining relationships that help improve your well-being. Another key to good health is staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual vaccination, which can usually be found at your health care provider’s office or your local pharmacy. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines to protect yourself and others and have a healthier summer.

Read more and set a date for your COVID-19 shot →

Highlighting the innovators transforming health outcomes in our communities

Kaleena Burkes is the inaugural director of the Murdered and Missing Black Women and Girls Office in Minnesota. With a strong commitment to advocating for marginalized communities, including her personal experiences with childhood and adulthood traumas, Burkes recently spoke with Sahan Journal about her new role → 

Credit

: Aaron Nesheim for

Sahan Journal