- Advocacy
Black History Month: Honoring Black Legacies in Health and Science
Posted on January 24, 2022
The following blog post is authored by Annaliese Collins, a public health major at Muhlenberg College, class of 2023. They are passionate about peer education, community health and wellness, and disease prevention.
As we come upon another February, the faces of great Black Americans will grace our screens.
Black History Month challenges Americans to learn more about pioneers in the fields of music, science, history, and art. The month recognizes the integral role that Black Americans have played in the history of our country and celebrates Black legacies.
Some of the most important developments made within the fields of medicine and science were made possible by Black doctors, biologists, professors, researchers, and patients. Families Fighting Flu will be reflecting on the legacies of five Black pioneers in medicine and science: Dr. William Augustus Hinton, Dr. Percy Lavon Julian, Mrs. Henrietta Lacks, Dr. Marie Maynard Daly, and Dr. Alexa Irene Canady.
The efforts and triumphs of these individuals have touched the lives of millions of patients, families, and communities — and will for years to come. As both professionals in the field of public health and as patients, we work to honor their memories and ensure their accomplishments are not forgotten.
As we celebrate these pioneers, as an organization, we look to improve health equity and decrease health disparities for all.
