Voice Matters Blog

Enjoying the Summer SafelyTechnically, it's still Spring and Summer should be right around the corner. In reality, many of us have been unceremoniously reminded to be careful of what we wish for when it comes to busting out the shorts and t-shirts after a long winter.With DC hitting near record... Read More

African-American Maternal Health in a State of Emergency Amnesty International’s most recent findings on global maternal mortality rates are pretty embarrassing for the United States – we’re ranked 50th, despite the fact that we spend the most money per capita on health care. But what’s truly appalling is that “African-American... Read More

Surviving the Night Shift at HospitalsNight time and weekend care might be good for the hospital’s bottom line; not necessarily for the patient.  According to health writer Sandra Boodman, night and weekend care often result in “higher rates of errors and poorer patient outcomes.”  The sparse staff and slower pace... Read More

New Twist in Health Reform Legal BattleUp to now, the jurists hearing the case against the not quite 15-month old Affordable Care Act have responded along party lines—the four federal district judges appointed by Democratic presidents have ruled the law constitutional; the two Republican-appointed jurists say it is not.  More... Read More

The Importance of Equal EducationWith 2012 elections poised conspicuously in front of us, hot topics like the economy, jobs and war are everyday fodder for political pundits. But two issues that seem to be strategically avoided by the candidates as they boil just below the surface of these debates are... Read More

J. Howard DeHoff, MD, of South Whitehall Township, is a primary care internist.Short-sighted GOP Steadily Dismantling Health ReformThe House GOP is gloating about the recent passage of HR 1216, which rescinds the funds obligated by the Affordable Care Act for training much-needed primary care physicians, but millions of Americans will... Read More

Older, Experience Becoming Preferred in Health CareThe recession forced many people out of their jobs, homes and predictable lifestyles and into new ways of managing their money, hopes and dreams. For some, that meant downsizing, returning to school for more education or pursuing an entirely new career. Careers in health... Read More

A History Not Worth Repeating   On this day, June 14, we recognize as Flag Day, when our country’s flag was first carried by the Continental Army in 1776. To commemorate this, some people proudly wave replicas in varying forms of the American flag perhaps not knowing the full history. But according... Read More

Weiner, Perceived Golden Boy Who Missed a Golden Rule Read today’s Huffington Post article for latest on Weiner’s story, “Anthony Weiner Photos Fallout: House Democrats Hope Scandal-Plagued Congressman Will Resign” Anyone with access to broadcast, print or online media knows the Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) story of “my Twitter account... Read More

Health reform is education reform Only one in 10 high school kids meeting the minimum goals for physical activity America's teens are drinking too many sugary drinks and not getting enough exercise, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only one in 10 high school boys... Read More

New Federal Efforts Aimed at Engaging rather than Alienating FathersIn time for Father’s Day, The Root.com has taken a look at the nation’s welfare policies to see if public assistance undermines fathers.  The online news source found that the welfare system indeed discounts fathers but the trend is changing. New... Read More

America’s Oral Health is in CrisisMore than a decade since the U.S. Surgeon General called America’s poor oral health a “silent epidemic,” oral health diseases remain prevalent among the nation’s underserved populations. Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans bear the burden of poor oral health more than any other racial or... Read More

Promote What You Believe InA recent study with Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication found that eight in 10 women believe that supporting causes gives them a sense of purpose and  meaning in life. Men were more likely to view such “causal” supports as fads. Women are also more... Read More

Promote What You Believe InA recent study with Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication found that eight in 10 women believe that supporting causes gives them a sense of purpose and  meaning in life. Men were more likely to view such “causal” supports as fads. Women are also more... Read More

Remembering Metrorail Operator Jeanice McMillanTwo years ago today the deadliest crash on Washington's subway system occurred. Train operator Jeanice McMillan and eight passengers lost their lives in the accident. Dozens of others were injured. As the runaway train careened towards a stopped train, McMillan showed tremendous courage. She kept her... Read More

Troubling Trend: More Young Adults Living With DiabetesWhen we are young we think we can avoid health-related issues that happen to “to the other older person.” By that, meaning we can consume all the chips, fries, burgers, pastries, pizza and sodas we want, believing that time and youth can reverse... Read More

Remembering the King of PopOn this second anniversary of the death Michael Jackson, McKinney pauses to pay tribute to the King of Pop for bringing multiple cultures together. His music transcended social barriers and connected people of all races, creeds and origins, even before the Internet materialized.  Jackson pioneered the... Read More

Babies and Food Giants Photo caption: In Motts for Tots apple juice, a popular fruit juice parents serve their children, a 200ml serving comes with 13 grams of sugar and 50 calories. An equal-sized serving of Safeway brand apple juice dishes up about 23 grams of sugar and 93 calories.... Read More

“Are Doctors Playing Favorites”?Not everyone is happy about the Obama Administration’s plan to deploy “mystery shoppers” posing as patients and contacting doctors’ offices for appointments in an attempt to assess whether all people, regardless of type of health care coverage, are able to get care when they need... Read More

New RWJF Directory Compares Hospitals and DoctorsBuilding on the growing trend to look for health care information online, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s just released a map-based directory designed to help users compare health care provided by local hospitals and physicians.  Foundation staff believe the directory will be especially helpful... Read More

Brewing Cuts in School and at WorkMilawaukee, Wisc., has been making headlines the past couple of days. Yesterday, it was reported that 34 percent of Black males in the city are unemployed. Today, it was announced that Milwaukee Public Schools will lay off more than 300 teachers as... Read More