Medical Apartheid, COVID & Black Muslims:
What You Need To Know
There is mounting evidence that the Coronavirus pandemic will present unique health challenges for Black/African Americans due to long-standing health disparities, inadequate access to quality healthcare, and health insurance. Black/African Americans in the United States also suffer from higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, lung diseases, including asthma and chronic bronchitis, and autoimmune diseases like lupus. All of these factors are compounded by the healthy mistrust of the medical community due to the legacy of scientific racism (Tuskegee Experiment, Henrietta Lacks), bias and discrimination against Black folks. In this webinar, Dr. Shabazz and Dr. Abdul-Haqq provide an overview of COVID-19/Coronavirus, health disparities and pre-existing conditions which make Black people more vulnerable to the disease, history and impact of medical racism, as well as proper precautions and recommendations for optimal health inspired by our faith.
RECORDED WEBINAR
WEBINAR SLIDES + SUMMARY
PANELISTS
MODERATOR:
Dr. Kameelah Mu’Min Rashad
Founder & President - Muslim Wellness Foundation & Black Muslim Psychology Conference
co-Director, National Black Muslim COVID Coalition
Founder and President of Muslim Wellness Foundation (MWF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healing and emotional well-being in the American Muslim community through dialogue, education and training. Through Muslim Wellness Foundation, Dr. Rashad has established the annual Black Muslim Psychology Conference and the Deeply Rooted Emerging Leaders Fellowship for Black Muslim young adults. Dr. Rashad also serves as the Fellow for Spirituality, Wellness and Social Justice at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). She is the advisor to Penn Sapelo, (the first Black Muslim student organization at UPenn), and the Muslim Students Organization (MSO) at The Lawrenceville School. She served three years as the Muslim Chaplain at UPenn and continues to facilitate discussions on religious identity development and challenges faced by American Muslim youth. Dr. Rashad graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Psychology and MEd in Psychological Services. She obtained further graduate education, earning a second Masters in Restorative Practices & Youth Counseling (MRP) from the International Institute for Restorative Practices. She completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA.
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Noor Jihan Abdul-Haqq
Owner & Lead Pediatrician - Peace of Mind Pediatrics
Dr. Noor Jihan Abdul-Haqq is a board certified pediatrician from Oklahoma City, OK. In 2004, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. Her medical school and residency training were completed through Morehouse School of Medicine where she was active with various medical organizations. She has done medical work in Barbados, Dominican Republic and Mexico. Her awards include the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award, Practitioner of Excellence Award from Sisters United Organization for her professional development and community service and the Journal Record’s Achievers under 40 award. Dr. Abdul-Haqq has presented numerous times on KVSP 92.1 FM The Open Mic Show as well as for local health fairs and initiatives. Dr. Abdul-Haqq opened her current practice Peace of Mind Pediatrics in Sept of 2015 to serve the community that she grew up in. Insha’Allah she will open the Clara Community Health Center in OKC in spring of 2020 which will be a free clinic for those unable to qualify for insurance. She and her husband are the proud parents to 3 wonderful children. She is an active member of Masjid Mu’min in OKC.
Dr. Safiyya Shabazz
Owner & Medical Director - Fountain Medical Associates, PC
Safiyya Shabazz, M.D. is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and owner of Fountain Medical Associates, a Patient Centered Medical Home specializing in the care of the whole person from childhood through adulthood. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in chemical engineering and a Medical Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed an internship at Morehouse Family Medicine in Atlanta before returning to Philadelphia to complete her residency training at the University of Pennsylvania, where she also served on the clinical faculty for 2 years. She continues to serve as an attending preceptor for medical students at Penn and other area medical schools. Affectionately known as “The Doc from the Top of the Clock”, Dr. Shabazz has provided brief, informative commentary on the Holy Quran, the teachings of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, and the scientific evidence to support both on the annual Ramadan Prayerline since 2006. Her advice for health and long life is based on “eating to live” and establishing lasting habits that reduce the risk of death and disease.