This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. Zero-dose children remain at risk without routine vaccines against preventable diseases. Gavi is racing to reach them, but urgent global support is needed.
In many parts of Africa, accessing quality health care has long been a daunting challenge, especially for those in remote or hard-to-reach areas. Yet, a technological transformation is underway, reshaping…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is generating a lot of buzz across all sectors, and global health is no exception. Many see AI as a promising tool that could transform health systems,…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. It’s stressful when anyone dies on your wing, especially when no one ever tells you what happened.
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. Communities with unstable housing, food deserts and less access to health care contribute to the problem.
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. With public funding under pressure, philanthropic investments are essential for developing innovative care models that drive improvements in health equity.
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. It’s been five years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us still have strong memories of stay-at-home orders, the sudden loss of lives and liberties, and the…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects millions, yet systemic barriers limit accessibility to holistic care that could empower individuals.
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. In 2024, grantees in Open Philanthropy’s Global Health and Wellbeing (GHW) portfolio made progress toward developing a next-generation malaria vaccine, successfully advocated for U.K.retailers to adopt a new welfare standard that we expect to improve conditions for 350 million chickens, and contributed…
Black lung disease diagnoses have been on the rise for two decades, affecting thousands of coal mining families across the country. The disease is incurable and progressive, meaning that it gets worse over time. One reason that it has been increasing, particularly in Appalachia where 20% of tenured miners have some form of the disease, is due to increased silica or rock dust within coal seams. Silica dust is more toxic than coal dust. With cases on the rise, it is more important than ever to preserve and improve the black lung benefits system.
Families across the country rely on these disability benefits to replace lost wages when they can no longer work and assure that they have access to health insurance that pays for the cost of care for their disease. Using data from the Department of Labor, we’ve created a map that hints at the scale of the black lung crisis.
What’s the Black Lung Program?
Congress created the Black Lung Program to provide necessary monetary and medical benefits to coal miners who suffer from the disease. These benefits are either paid for by a coal company or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, which steps in when the coal company responsible has gone bankrupt or no longer exists. It’s usually a difficult process to apply for the benefits, and coal companies typically fight tooth and nail in court to deflect responsibility for paying coal miners what they’re owed.
The black lung program pays a monthly disability payment, or stipend, to coal miners that increases depending on the number of dependents in the household. In 2024, the monthly payment was $772.60 for just the miner, but it increases to $1,158.90 if there is one dependent. Unfortunately, the monthly disability payment hasn’t kept up with inflation since it was…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. Major Healthcare Shifts Ahead: From DEI to Drug Prices, What’s Changing?
As an organization dedicated to the health and wellness of Black women, we feel it’s crucial to address the recent executive orders that could affect our community’s access to healthcare and overall wellbeing.
What’s Changed?
Several executive orders that supported equity and expanded healthcare access have been rescinded. Of particular importance to our community are the reversals of:
Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
Executive Order 14009 on Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act
Executive Order 14070 on Continuing to Strengthen Americans’ Access to Affordable, Quality Health Coverage
Executive Order 14087 on Lowering Prescription Drug Costs
Executive Order 13995 on Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery
When “Everyone’s Responsible” Means No One Is Accountable
The rollback of DEI initiatives reminds us of an important truth: when we make everyone generally responsible for fairness in healthcare, we often end up with no one specifically accountable for it. Here’s what this looks like in practice:
Without dedicated DEI offices, addressing healthcare disparities becomes “everyone’s job,” but no one’s priority
Removing specific equity goals from performance metrics means institutions lose concrete ways to measure progress
Eliminating dedicated positions means no one is specifically tasked with monitoring and addressing systemic barriers
Without formal programs, addressing bias in healthcare settings becomes optional rather than required
What’s Changing
Federal agencies have 60 days to terminate DEI offices and positions
Review and revision of federal employment practices
Changes to federal contractor requirements regarding DEI training
Elimination of equity-related grants and contracts
The connection between DEI programs and healthcare outcomes cannot be overstated. Research consistently shows that diverse healthcare teams lead to better patient outcomes for our community. Cultural competency in healthcare settings has proven crucial for building trust…
The Deerfield Foundation, a philanthropic affiliate of New York City-based healthcare investment firm Deerfield Management, today announced the awarding of $1.5 million in support for 14 not-for-profit organizations in seven countries,…