In the Gap: Voices from the Health Divide — NewsWorks

|

Learn about NewsWorks

Listen to WHYY | Latest Newscast

Few showers Sunday, highs near 65

May 18

Per diem

DHS: More money to foster older kids

May 18

Reports of first-time, midlife allergies

May 18

THE FEED:
BREAKING
NEWS BLOG

Powered by WHYY and You

In the Gap: Voices from the Health Divide

In the Gap is a news and dialogue series from WHYY/NEWSWORKS and 900AM-WURD.

The series will explore the divide that separates African Americans from better health outcomes and access to care. African Americans make up more than 40 percent of Philadelphia's population. Their care and outcomes matter to the overall health of the region.
So, we're taking a closer look.

The health divide: Numbers from the Philadelphia region »

Experts aren't entirely sure why, but black health in Southeastern Pennsylvania is poorer than the health of whites across many measures – including access to care, cancer screening exams and some chronic health conditions:

stats See the Philadelphia Gap »

Series producer: Taunya English »

Health reporter Taunya English is the series producer. We’re sending her out to speak with the experts and document the disparities that matter most. Her mission is to bring back sound portraits that reveal the challenges and triumphs of people living “In the Gap.”

Taunya has reported on the links between nutrition and disease; the changing relationship between doctors and patients; and efforts to give people healthier places to live, work and play. Her award-winning stories include recognition from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association for her coverage of the health care overhaul.

Before joining WHYY, Taunya led statehouse news coverage for Public Radio Capitol News in Harrisburg, Pa. She began her journalism career as a newspaper reporter in Northern California, then became a health/science writer in Washington, D.C. She earned her graduate degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Have a story, a source or a tip that could help us report these topics?
Contact Taunya »

Help us report the stories: The series is evolving»

With your suggestions, we'll select story topics that reflect pressing health concerns and successes in the African American community.

Do you know someone living "In the Gap?"
Who's working to close the health gap in your neighborhood?
What's your idea for the next story in the series?

We want to hear from you. Send Taunya an email.

Series partner: 900AM WURD »

WURD logo 900AM WURD is Philadelphia's only African-American owned talk radio station. It was founded on the concepts of empowerment, community and enlightened conversation.

Sara Lomax-Reese Stories will air on WURD’s HealthQuest Live!

WHYY reporter Taunya English will join WURD president and host Sara Lomax-Reese on HealthQuest Live to discuss the latest story with guest experts and callers.

HealthQuest Live! airs Mondays from 12-1pm on WURD 900AM in Philadelphia. Listen online here »

Get in touch »

Have a story, a source or a tip that could help us report these topics?
Contact Taunya »

NewsWorks Tonight Feature

Veterans with diabetes 'battle' to stay healthy in Philadelphia

By Taunya English

April 16, 2012

Preventing diabetes is the Holy Grail, but many health experts say, for now, they'd like to just help more people manage the disease. Better, yet, they'd like to get diabetes in check -- cheaply. More »
Special Series: In the Gap

Recruiting adults to prevent unplanned teen pregnancies

By Taunya English

March 5, 2012

This month the WHYY/WURD series on African-American health — In the Gap: Voices from the Health Divide — examines teen pregnancy prevention. A door-to-door campaign is gearing up in North Philadelphia. Kelly Smith is a "walker and talker," a community health educator hired to brave the cold to recruit 100 families from two public housing communities, Norris and Fairhill homes. More »
In the Gap

Debating how and how often to test for prostate cancer

By Taunya English

February 6, 2012

African American men -- and others with a higher-than-usual risk for prostate cancer -- are at the middle of a debate about whether the main screening tool for the disease is any good at all. More »
In the Gap series

In extreme old age, blacks outlive whites on average

By Taunya English

January 2, 2012

Many African Americans live too intimately with violence and discrimination; too far away from nutritious food and health care. For those reasons, and many others, at every point, from birth through the late 60s, life expectancy for blacks is shorter—worse—than for white Americans. More »
Special series: In the Gap

Girls' lack of activity adds to obesity risk

By Taunya English

November 28, 2011

In the Gap: Voices from the Health Divide is a news and dialogue partnership between 90.9 FM WHYY and 900 AM WURD. About half of African American women are obese.Black women not only carry more weight, but start piling on extra pounds years before their white counterparts. So when does it begin, this excess and unhealthy weight? Temple University researcher Clare Lenhart says that it starts ear... More »
IN THE GAP

Misinformation, poverty prevent families from controlling asthma

By Taunya English

October 24, 2011

In any given year, five to 15 children in Philadelphia die of asthma.Uncontrolled asthma doesn't take nearly as many lives as cancer, say, but most asthma deaths are preventable, and pediatricians admit to a poor track record helping families keep the condition in check. More »
In the Gap Series

African-American farmers aim for better food choices

By Taunya English

September 26, 2011

At the farm garden beside Martin Luther King High School in Northwest Philadelphia, yellow flowers on the okra plants are still blooming, but it's about time to pull up this summer's tomato plants. More »
In the Gap series

In the Gap: African American doctors

By Taunya English

August 29, 2011

About 6 percent of the nation's physicians are African American; while about 13 percent of the population is black. Many experts say that gap hinders health care. So, does race really matter in medicine? More »
In the Gap

Doing dialysis at home

By Taunya English

July 25, 2011

The In the Gap: Voices from the Health Divideaudio series is a partnership with 900 AM WURD. Taunya will discuss this story on WURD's HealthQuest Live show onTuesday, July 26at noon. More »
In the Gap

Genetics offers clues to kidney disease in African Americans

By Taunya English

July 25, 2011

Doctors aren't completely sure why African Americans are more prone than white Americans to kidney disease and failure. Nephrologist Duncan Johnstone says for decades the difference was often blamed on patients. "That's happened a lot in the history of medicine and African Americans. 'It's their diet, it's their lifestyle'--all of these judgments against them,&q... More »
Camden officials mobilize to prevent heroin overdoses

By Elizabeth Fiedler

July 5, 2011

Camden, N.J., authorities are trying to prevent a repeat of a 2006 disaster in which more than 50 people died of heroin overdoses in the region. In the last few days, heroin sold under the names "Hellfire," "Hellraiser," and "Pure Hell" has sent a dozen people to the hospital. Camden Police Chief John Scott Thomson says the drugs are being sold in the North Camden a... More »
In the Gap Series

In the Gap: Neighborhood violence

By Taunya English

June 24, 2011

This month our series—In the Gap: Voices from the Health Divide—examines new ideas about protecting young people from violence. Accidents are the No. 1 killer of all people age 15 to 24 in the United States, but among young black Americans, assault is the leading cause of death. Traditionally, helping young people avoid neighborhood violence has meant coaching them to steer clear of trouble. &qu... More »
With N.J. Senate OK, changes to public workers' benefits advance

By Phil Gregory

June 20, 2011

Legislation to require New Jersey public employees to contribute more for their pensions and health benefits is advancing through the state Legislature. The state Senate passed the measure by a vote of 24-to-15 Monday. Meanwhile, local government officials appeared to support the bill with testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee. Orange Mayor Eldridge Hawkins said it's a comprehensiv... More »
In the Gap

Black babies less likely to celebrate 1st birthday

By Taunya English

May 20, 2011

In Philadelphia and across the country, black babies are more likely than white babies to die before their first birthday. Black moms also are much more likely to have a baby who arrives too early or weighs too little. More »
Researching race and emotion

By Taunya English

April 15, 2011

Note: This is the first installment of a new audio series for WHYY, in partnership with 900AM WURD. The series is In the Gap: Voices from the health divide. Series producer and health reporter Taunya English asked about racial discrimination and psychological well-being. Psychologists and health researchers are curious about an idea that seems like plain old common sense to many African American... More »
National plan aims to close health gap

By Taunya English

April 10, 2011

The United States now has a national plan to level health inequities across the country. WHYY/Newsworks joined local health advocates at Drexel University's School of Public Health to learn more about the road map. It's called the Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. The big unveiling in Washington was webcast to satellite meetings in several cities. In Philad... More »
Debate swirls around menthol smokers

By Taunya English

March 29, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration is considering a ban on menthol cigarettes.That decision could cost tobacco makers millions and affect millions of menthol smokers. The minty smokes are heavily marketed in urban areas and particularly popular among African Americans. Opponents say a ban robs black smokers of a perfectly legal preference.Supporters say the prohibition could boost public health. W... More »
FDA advisers speak, menthol debate continues

By Taunya English

March 18, 2011

Advisers for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration say a ban on menthol cigarettes could boost public health. The recommendation from the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee is just the beginning of a review of the evidence for, and against, the mint-scented cigarettes. "All of this--including the TPSAC report--does not set FDA policy and it does not set FDA actions. It's me... More »
FDA advisers suggest menthol ban

By Taunya English

March 17, 2011

UPDATE: The decision is in. After studying the issue for a year, on Friday the Food and Drug Administration's advisory panel recommended "the removal of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace," saying the change would benefit public health. A final decision on menthol--which could be months or years away--rests with experts at the FDA Center for Tobacco Products. Here's the o... More »

Top Stories

Poll shows growing support for Pa. pot legalization

May 19 - Mary Wilson

Polls show support is on the rise for legalizing medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, but the governor and state attorney general both still oppose it. More »

Businesses take part in 2nd hearing on revamping Pa. liquor sales system

May 19 - Mary Wilson @marywilson

The chairman of a key Pennsylvania Senate panel isn't worried about whether he can find consensus on liquor privatization before July. More »

Philadelphia International moves closer to getting key property for expansion

May 18 - Tom MacDonald @tmacdonaldwhyy

A Philadelphia City Council Committee has approved a bill that would lead to purchasing some Tinicum Township properties critical to expanding the airport. More »

New skate park opens in late May for freestylers and Sunday strollers

May 17 - Peter Crimmins, @petercrimmins

Shapiro on Theater

Howard Shapiro

Reviews: "The Misanthrope" and "Othello" -- thoroughly modern, thoroughly not :
Who says you have to be old-fashioned to be classic? More »

Nicole Juday

Garden Rx:
It's been a lovely spring; the dogwood and azalea flowers More »

Behind the Lines

Tony Auth

Got a problem with leaks? Obama needs to call in the pros.:
The Obama administration now supports a national shield law that More »

Dave Davies Off Mic

Dave Davies

Emergency plan for Philly schools :
Seen this movie before? I know I have. The Philadelphia school More »

The Philadelphia Experiment

Solomon Jones

Students March For Schools. Where Are The Adults?:
The estimated 1,000 high school students who marched Broad Street More »

National Interest

Dick Polman

Can gun reformers sway the next election?:
Midterm elections, which typically draw only one-third of the electorate, More »

Chris Satullo

Philly pols' empty rhetoric leaves city's kids behind:
If they ever make hypocrisy an Olympic sport, I think More »

Brandywine to Broad

Jan C. Ting

Why the Ken Burns documentary “The Central Park Five” finally turned me against the death penalty:
I've been a holdout, declining to join the progressive movement More »

Faye Flam

Historian: Voyager spacecraft marked new age of discovery:
Some are baffled and others saddened by the fact that More »