“We can say all health disparities are a direct consequence of being an American descendant of slavery.” – Dr. Tito L. Izard
Our Care Model here at Quartz includes 3 pillars that guide our programs and services: Physical Health, Social Wellbeing, and Mental Resilience. The foundation of Social Well-being is to understand and address our member’s social determinants of health. All non-medical factors of life that influence health outcomes are known as social determinants of health. Below is an alarming (non-exhaustive) list of social determinants that negatively impact the health outcomes of Black Wisconsinites:
- Compared to the national rate of 44%, only 25% of Black residents own their own home.
- Black residents of WI are 5 times more likely to live in a food desert than white residents.
- 1 of every 36 Black Wisconsinites are in prison (10.9 times the rate of white people).
- The median African American income level in Wisconsin is $29,200 (about half that of whites).
Community Efforts to Improve Black Health Disparities in WI
Below is a short list of organizations and efforts that exist to improve the social determinants of Black Wisconsinites. Please follow each link to learn more about their services and potential volunteer opportunities.
- Own it: Building Black Wealth
- The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness
- Rebalanced Life Wellness Association
Additional Resources
In April of 2024, Dr. Jasmine Zapata delivered a talk at the DEI&B Fireside Chat titled: Addressing Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality. A key point she shared related to her own experience and fears as a black woman giving birth, “ When you’re making a decision to bring life into the world, especially as a black woman, you have to think about your own life.”
If you missed this event, we encourage you to view the recording here or by accessing the DEI&B Prism page to hear Dr. Zapata’s experiences as both a medical doctor and a black mother here in the state of Wisconsin.
Sources: The public health crisis faced by Black Wisconsinites (pbswisconsin.org), Model of Care | Clinical Services | About Us – Prism (force.com)