Health Matters
Where Public Health Meets Powerful Storytelling
My mission is to illuminate the unique health challenges marginalized groups face. Here, I share what I’ve learned and advocate for inclusive, culturally nuanced communication that drives meaningful change. Through thoughtful analysis, personal stories, and expert insights, Health Matters explores the intersection of identity, health equity, and public health strategies in pursuit of better health for us all.
Public Health Communicator Kayla Nixon Launches Uterine Health Platform for Black Women
The Uterine Care Collaborative is thrilled to announce its official launch, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to empowering Black women and improving uterine health. Uterine Care Collaborative is a shared learning space and community hub that aims to use current research and an evidence-based approach to address the unique challenges faced by Black women with uterine health issues.
Dismantling Stereotypes + 9 Advocacy Strategies for Black Patients
In healthcare scenarios, the ideas of “wrong” or “failure to comply” often translate to victim-blaming Black patients. With stereotypes, there is no room for personalized treatment approaches because there are blinders that prevent some providers from seeing individual humanity as opposed to generic and preconceived ideas. I see the role of public health as a platform of empowerment for patients. Public health communicators can mobilize communities with messaging that teaches them to speak up for themselves when it may be a matter of life and death.
A Divergent Experience in Public Health: What If I’m on the Inside & Outside?
Empathy is being able to easily put yourself in someone’s shoes. Sympathy is showing concern, but not necessarily being able to relate. Being a public health communicator for a gynecologic cancer non-profit organization and being a five-year survivor of uterine cancer, I find myself straddling an interesting dichotomy: being both on the inside looking out and the outside looking in. How can we reckon with diverging perspectives?
Communication Innovation in Public Health: Embracing Risk & Failing Forward
Public health communication is not just about sharing information; it’s about connecting with people in ways that teach and inspire change. Communication strategies must always evolve and this kind of constant innovation involves risk. How can we remain human-centered in our approach, especially when addressing the needs of marginalized communities?