Community Health Speaks is an initiative that has brought together a diverse group of individuals, including dedicated faculty from the University at Buffalo (UB), Buffalo's key community centers, and residents from various backgrounds. Our mission is clear: to bridge the divide between the scientific community and those from historically marginalized communities.
Our primary goal is to raise awareness about health disparities and the transformative potential of research within our community. We understand that the power of research can only be fully harnessed when everyone has a seat at the table. That's why we are dedicated to engaging individuals from all walks of life, encouraging them to actively participate in discussions about research designs, implementation strategies, and outcomes.
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Empowering individuals through accessible, informative workshops on genetics and healthcare.
Championing equal access to healthcare for all, addressing disparities in underserved communities.
Making complex genetics understandable, fostering informed decisions for better health.
Advocating for fairness in healthcare and the environment, promoting a healthier world.
Joining forces with organizations, academics, and advocates to drive change together.
On October 16th, the University at Buffalo (UB)-led initiative Community Health Speaks hosted an important event on Afghan Women's Health, with a special focus on preventive care for women in the Afghan refugee community. This event, held at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (JSMBS), was organized and moderated by Parveen Attai,...
Calls for diversity in genomics had motivated new global research collaborations across institutions with significantly imbalanced resources. Alicia R. Martin, Ph.D., shared practical insights gained by her and her colleagues at the BROAD Institute MIT and Harvard. They had worked on designing multidisciplinary, international research and...
Jamal B. Williams, Ph.D (L) and Jennifer Haak, MD (R), at Buffalo Public School teaching about child development disorders to parents and teachers.
On October 16th, second-year medical student Parveen Attai at the University at Buffalo's Jacobs School of Medicine, led an event on Afghan Women's Health to address the unique challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Western New York. Attai, an advocate for public health and of Afghan descent, organized the event to overcome key barriers such as language, transportation, and cultural comfort. The event featured a lecture by Dr. Abeer Eddib, an OBGYN, and included translation in Dari, childcare, and a Q&A session where attendees felt comfortable discussing health issues in a supportive environment. The success of the event, attended by 15 Afghan families, highlighted the need for continued community-driven health education, particularly around mental health and medication management.
The "Medicine for Tomorrow" event, from December 12th to 14th, was a great success, teaching high school students essential medical skills through interactive sessions with pediatric residents. Students learned basic medical practices, bleeding management, and CPR techniques, gaining practical knowledge and a deeper understanding of the medical field.
The "Learning About Your Genome" series was a comprehensive program aimed at educating individuals about the intricacies of genetics. It covered topics such as the basics of genetics, genetic variations' role in health and disease, and the significance of ancestry in genetic testing. Special sessions were included to help participants identify and combat scientific misinformation and to discuss the nuanced differences between race and ancestry in the context of health. This series empowered participants to make informed decisions regarding their genetic health and understand the ethical considerations surrounding genetic testing.
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