By Dianne Anderson Long before race bias in health systems was trending, Ernesta Wright was pushing advocacy, trying to debunk some of the myths that keep the community from getting the healthcare they need. Then and now, her concern was to bring the facts to the community for informed decision-making, and learn the best options ...

By Dianne Anderson About 60 percent of the country is now fully vaccinated, but 40% are still on the fence, even with the recent rush for a booster in the face of future variants that could be worse, or much different, than the last one. Omicron seems to transmit twice as fast as Delta, which ...

By Dianne Anderson Putting off that mammogram and other essential doctor appointments through the pandemic was not too unusual, but it was not a good idea. Local health advocate Ernesta Wright is not judging, but she is concerned. Health screenings are never fun, and she said some women may also delay care for other reasons. ...

By Dianne Anderson Just about every cancer known to science – breast cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, uterus cancer, prostate cancer – provided a loud wake-up call for Ramona Lawson, and survivors within her family circle. Remembering those who died has changed the family’s approach to life, health and diet. “Some of us have become ...

By Dianne Anderson The Black community had been stuck in crisis mode for a long time, and then the pandemic hit. Since Coronavirus, the rise in mental health issues are consistent with increased unemployment, loss of healthcare, surging death rate twice that of whites, and back-to-back victimization of Blacks by police abusers. It’s keeping healthcare ...

By Dianne Anderson Everyone thinks they want to know what COVID-19 symptoms are like, but Yvonne Peeples says if you have it, you know it. From the beginning, she knew something was wrong. The persistent cough seemed to go away for a while, but come back. She lost her sense of taste and smell, and ...

By Dianne Anderson As the nation was out hoarding rationed toilet paper, and just about anything else they could fit in the cart, health professional Doretha Williams-Flournoy was flying back home to California where she basically had the plane to herself. At the airport, she took note of nonstop news on COVID 19. One station ...

by Dianne Anderson By itself, the fight for survival and surviving medical treatment is hard enough for one in eight women that will experience breast cancer in their lifetimes, but recovery and the choices after surgery aren’t much easier. Long-time health advocate Ernesta Wright wants them to know they don’t have to go through it ...

By Dianne Anderson Everything community residents need to take charge of their health is now ready for the Westside of San Bernardino. All they have to do is show up and sign up. Local community health advocates are mapping out strategies for the biggest time of their year starting October 15, when open enrollment for ...

By Dianne Anderson Going to the doctor’s office to review cancer options is never stress-free, but it can get a little easier if you know the right questions to ask, and if you bring a friend. Longtime health advocate Ernesta Wright said a big part of her nonprofit outreach has been raising community awareness, particularly ...