Renee Mahaffey Harris directs the launch of Black Women’s Health Movement. Photo provided
By Jovonne Walker
The Center for Closing the Health Gap
Renee Mahaffey Harris, president and CEO, Center for Closing the Health Gap, launched the Black Women’s Health Movement (BWHM) on Thursday, December 5.
BWHM is designed to engage and empower African American women across the socioeconomic spectrum of our community to live healthier lives — body and mind.
The launch was at Blush, the Event Loft, 345 W. Fourth Street, Cincinnati.
To ensure the movement’s focus areas are based on need, the Health Gap conducted a national, state and local literature review, and primary qualitative and quantitative research among 114 Black women from 27 neighborhoods and municipalities in Greater Cincinnati.
BWHM will focus on four essential elements to help close the gap on health disparities: mindful health, physical health, economic health and community health.
The goal of the Black Women’s Health Movement is the same as the Health Gap’s: to lead efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in Greater Cincinnati through advocacy, education and community outreach.
“We all have some form of stress in our lives. Women tend to place themselves last on their list when it comes to self-care and prioritizing healthy choices. On behalf of BWHM, I will be engaging our local organizations, businesses, community leaders and advocates to join me in strengthening the pulse of this movement,” said Mahaffey Harris. “This movement will create real and sustainable opportunities to provide Black women with the tools needed to add years to their lives and more life to their years!”