Health/Wellness

First Lady Joins Actress Halle Berry to Promote Health

Hot Flashes and the Hormone Estrogen Affect Cognition

CHICAGO - First Lady of the U.S. Dr. Jill Biden joined women’s health advocate, Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry Thursday January 11, 2024 at the University of Illinois-Chicago for a roundtable discussion with elected officials and UIC staff on the effects of menopause on women, based on UIC research. Dr. Biden’s trip was to highlight the White House Initiative on Women’s Health. After the discussion, the group took a tour of the research facilities. Dr. Biden and Ms. Berry learned from UIC researchers about the results of their studies on menopause and the importance of those findings In determining how to best respond to its effects.

Congresswomen Lauren Underwood and Robin Kelly and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle also attended the tour. They were joined again by Dr. Pauline Maki, a UIC professor of psychiatry, psychology and obstetrics & gynecology, and UIC PhD students Katrina Wugalter, Rachel Schroder and Jacob Van Doorn.
Their research explores how menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and the hormone estrogen impact cognition. Dr. Maki said studying how menopause impacts a woman’s brain is foundational for not only understanding menopause better, but also to properly treat symptoms. “So that's a little bit of a tour of how we do our clinical research and what we found so far. But most importantly, there’s need for much, much, much, much more research in this area,” Dr. Maki said.

Artist Lorelei Pement unveils Health Center Mural

A Collaborative Project Builds Neighborhood Pride

BLUE ISLAND, IL - Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle attended the unveiling of a special mural gracing the walls at the entrance of the Blue Island Heath Center at 12757 S. Western on Tuesday April 11, 2023. The mural was designed and produced by Chicago artist Lorelei Pement as part of the Community Murals Project, which is a partnership between Cook County Health and Cook County Health Foundation. The program uses a collaborative mural making process as a tool to build trust and engagement between the health care sites and their communities. The program also seeks to build neighborhood pride and reduce the negative stigma associated with the public healthcare system. Standing in front of the mural in the photo is (left to right) Sylvia Zaldivar, Executive Director, Cook County Health Foundation, President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Monica Gordon, Cook County Board of Commissioners, Mural Artist Lorelei Pement, Israel Rocha, CEO, Cook County Health, Commissioner Donna Miller, Cook County Board of Commissioners, and Linh Dang, Chief Experience Officer, Cook County Health. Photo by Naimah Latif

Cook County Commissioners Attend Unveiling In Blue Island

"I'm excited that we are continuing to invest in work, and work to make this an inviting place for healing," stated Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle at a special unveiling of a new mural at Blue Island Health Center in Blue Island, IL. Mural artist Lorelei Pement, a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in Animation, has been an art teacher at Columbia College. She used a "paint by numbers" technique to enable members of the community to participate in adding paint to her design. Ms. Pement said she created images representing the diversity of the Blue Island community. She stated, "I feel that when you look at a piece you can really tell the story that's within it."

Colorful Depiction of Scenes Highlight Community Diversity

Those who enter the Blue Island Health Center 12757 S. Western in Blue Island, IL will be greeted at the door with a lively wall mural that depicts life in the Blue Island community and presents bold bright colors that reflect life, not sickness. This was a conscious choice made by mural artist Lorelei Pement, who explains her creative images to the Cook County Board members and health professionals attending the mural unveiling held Tuesday April 11, 2023 at the Blue Island Health Center. This is one of several murals to be created for Cook County Hospital facilities to build neighborhood engagement with health care sites.

VP Kamala Harris Visits Chicago to Promote COVID Vaccine

Senators Durbin and Duckworth and Congressman Davis Assure Safety, Fair Access To Shots

Vice Preside t Kamala Harris visited Chicago and met with Mayor Lorie Lightfoot, nad congressional representatives to discuss Chicago,s plans for disseminating the COVID vaccines. At a press conference following a tour of vaccination facilities, Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Tammy Duckworth and Congressman Danny Davis insisted that high risk populations, such as the poor and the incarcerated, would be adequately served..

”It was the Congressional Black Caucus that made sure prison inmates got their stimulus checks,” Congressman Davis pointed out. “We’re looking out for the health and well being of all people,”

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Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools Schedules COVID Testing For Students and Families

Betty Shabazz International Charter School is preparing for students' physical return to the school by having families tested for COVID. BSICS Operations Manager Luwattia Johnson explains the challenges children face in trying to adjust to social restrictions imposed as precautions. Regular COVID testing will be administered by FreeCovidCare. Taking temperatures of all who enter the building is another measure in place to detect signs of the virus. Should anyone test positive for COVID, family members will be provided instructions on appropriate steps to take.

Clergy Requests Inmates Given Priority For COVID-19 Vaccine

Cook County Inmates At High Risk Awaiting Trial

Jonathan Jackson, National Spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, led by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. along with Rev.Ira Acree, Rev, Marshall Hatch, and Bishop Tavis Grant joined Rev.Jackson Sr. in asking that those inmates at Cook County Jail awaiting trial for non-violent offenses, who are innocent until proven guilty, be released early to avoid exposure to COVID-19 which is rapidly spreading inside correctional facilities and infecting the inmate and employee population.

Bishop Grant Urges Governor To Make Cook County Inmates A Priority For COVID-19 Vaccine

Cook County Inmates are at high risk for COVID-19 and Governor J.B. Pritzker is being asked to make this population a priority for the new vaccine once it is made available to Illinois residents. Bishop Tavis Grant stood with a coalition of ministers at Cook County Jail in Chicago to make this appeal to the Governor's office

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbert Cites Scientific Research

Years of research went into the preparation of a vaccine to fight COVID-19, and Dr. Kizzmekia Corbert, Scientiic Lead at the National Institute of Health,(NIH) came to Chicago to urge residents to take advantage of the newly developed vaccine and protect themselves against the deadly Corona Virus. She came at the request of Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, (NIAID). Much misinformation has led to a hesitancy among the black and brown communities, in which historical neglect and mistreatment has created suspicion and distrust of the health care industry.

Health Care Workers, Seniors Aged 75+ at Risk

Rev. Jesse Jackson received the COVID-19 Vaccination at Roseland Community Hospital in Chicago, surrounded by reporters who heard a detailed explanation from Dr. Kizzmekia Corbert, who along with Tim Egan, CEO of Roseland Community Hospital, urged those most at risk to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The CDC puts first priority on health care workers, then on senior citizens aged 75 and over. The incarcerated population and those who work in the crowded penal facilities are also at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Dr. Corbert said each State makes its own decisions regarding which citizens receive the vaccines first.

FreeCovidCare: Testing Is Important, Even If Vaccinated

FreeCovidCare Community Outreach Director John L. Alexander Urges COVID Testing, Even If Vaccinated

FreeCovidCare is providing free COVID testing across Illinois in order to help in the early detection of the virus so that those who test positive may take the necessary precautions to prevent its spread.

"People could have COVID but could be asymptomatic. They could be unknowingly spreading it to their loved ones,"stated FreeCovidCare Community Outreach Director John L. Alexander. "Even if you have been vaccinated, you could still be carrying the COVID virus. The vaccine will just help the symptoms be less severe. Being tested is a way to know for sure."

Testing is quick, easy and painless, he noted. The Rapid Test, done with a swab in each nostril, is administered by oneself. The results are available within about 15 minutes. The PCR Test requires the same procedure of swabbing ones nostrils. But for more accurate results, the samples are taken to the lab for more extensive tests. Results are e-mailed back to individuals within 48 to 72 hours.

"When I learned what testing was all about, that's what made me decide to get involved. I recommend regular testing, at least once a week for those who work outside of the home and are in contact with other people," Mr. Alexander said.

First Lady JOINS ACTRESS HALLE BERRY TO PROMOte Health

The First Lady emphasized how much the Biden-Harris Administration has been financially supportive of research on women’s health. Actress Halle Berry noted that symptoms of aging often appear unexpected, and can have a profound effect on a woman’s life. Pointing to her own recent experiences she noted that in many cases the society is unaware of how menopause can affect of a woman’s physical and emotional well being. She observed that it can be devastating if not understood and properly treated See the entire roundtable discussion on the Health/Wellness page. Photo by John L. Alexander

by Naimah Latif

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Actress Halle Berry Greet First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Congresswomen Robin Kelly and Lauren Underwood as they arrive in Chicago to attend a discussion on women’s health at UIC. Photo by John L. Alexander

CHICAGO, IL- First Lady Dr. Jill Biden travelled to Chicago Thursday, January 11, 2024, to participate in a round table discussion at the University of Illinois, Chicago surrounding the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. She was accompanied by Illinois Congressional Representatives Robin Kelly (D -2) and Lauren Underwood (D-14). Academy Award winning actress and women’s health advocate Halle Berry, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle greeted the First Lady and Congresswomen upon arrival. A small gathering of elected officials and UIC staff participated in the discussion at UIC which involved studies on the effects of menopause.