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The African American Health Program has been delivering free, critical health services to Montgomery County residents since 1999.

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AAHP Observes National Breastfeeding Month this August

August is National Breastfeeding Month, an observance that celebrates breastfeeding and its numerous benefits for mothers and babies. While it’s commonly understood that breastfeeding provides a plethora of health benefits for infants, most people don’t know that those benefits can last a lifetime. That’s why, this and every August, AAHP celebrates the beauty of breastfeeding. 

A mother’s breast milk contains the perfect blend of vitamins, proteins, fats, antibodies and enzymes that are synced to her infant’s digestive system. These nutrients can protect babies from ear infections, asthma, allergies, and more. Breastfed babies have stronger immune systems and experience less diarrhea, constipation, and respiratory illness like pneumonia and whooping cough. More critically, breastfed babies have lower rates of bacterial meningitis—which can cause severe brain damage and amputation—and are less likely to succumb to SuddenInfant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
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In childhood, breastfed babies may continue to have fewer instances of allergies, asthma, and respiratory illnesses and will also have fewer instances of childhood cancers, including leukemia. They will have fewer cavities and speech and orthodontic issues. They will also have a lower risk of Type 1 andType 2 diabetes and childhood obesity. Breastfed babies, as teens and adults, will be less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, heart disease, and diabetes. They may also be at lower risk of multiple sclerosis and may have lower rates of breast cancer. AAHP’s SMILE Program encourages moms to breastfeed and offers breastfeeding support and training to moms who may need it. Twice each year, inSpring and Fall, the SMILE Program offers free childbirth and breastfeeding classes to Black Montgomery County moms-to-be. Check AAHP’s calendar and stay tuned for updates! 

AAHP News

May 10, 2018

August is National Breastfeeding Month. This month, AAHP will highlight the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby and focus on supporting and encouraging breastfeeding among Black women. Black parents and parents-to-be in Montgomery County, feel free to share your stories and questions about breastfeeding on our social media channels throughout the month!

UPCOMING EVENTS

AAHP News

August is National Breastfeeding Month. This month, AAHP will highlight the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby and focus on supporting and encouraging breastfeeding among Black women. Black parents and parents-to-be in Montgomery County, feel free to share your stories and questions about breastfeeding on our social media channels throughout the month!

Community Health News

Breastfeeding Awareness Month

August 1, 2018

This Black Breastfeeding Week, AAHP celebrates breastfeeding among Black women.  Black breastfeeding rates are rising! According to the CDC, the 2004 National Immunization Survey reports 50% of Black children were breastfed, and the 2011-2015 Survey reports 64% of children were breastfed. Higher breastfeeding rates mean healthier babies, healthier mothers, and a healthier Black community.

Breastfeeding is recognized as the best source of nutrition for infants, providing protection against common diseases and conditions such as ear infections, diarrhea, and asthma. Breastfed babies are also less likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and are less likely to become obese or develop diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure later in life. For mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk for breast cancer and diabetes. Unfortunately, many Black women have been unable to reap those benefits due to challenges that have made it harder to breastfeed, including lack of support from health care professionals and the need to return to work soon after giving birth. Because Black women need more targeted support for breastfeeding, AAHP’s S.M.I.L.E. Program provides invaluable education and guidance for pregnant and breastfeeding Black women in Montgomery County.

AAHP observes Breastfeeding Awareness Month and Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25-31) by sharing information about breastfeeding and AAHP’s work in maternal and child health through the S.M.I.L.E. program. We invite you to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts and contribute to the conversation by sharing your own stories about breastfeeding. Together, we can build a brighter, healthier future for our children.

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AAHP June Events

AAHP provides information and services based on six major focus areas.

Maternal and Child Health

We provide education, counseling, support groups and case management to expecting mothers.

WHY? Because Black women had the highest rate of preterm births and low birth weight compared to women of other races.

Source: Health in Montgomery County, 2008-2016

WHY? Because Black infants are 3.2 times as likely to die from complications related to low birthweight as compared to non-Hispanic White infants.

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

Diabetes/heart health

We conduct free classes and health screenings to help prevent and manage diabetes and heart disease.

WHY? In recent years, Blacks had a life expectancy 3.4 years shorter than Whites, largely due to heart disease.

Source: The American Heart Association

WHY? Because Black infants are 3.2 times as likely to die from complications related to low birthweight as compared to non-Hispanic White infants.

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

WHY? Blacks are, on average, twice as likely to have diabetes as Whites.

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

CANCER

We provide cancer prevention, education, community outreach and referrals.

WHY? Because Blacks have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial and ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers.

Source: American Cancer Society

WHY? Because Black men and women are about twice as likely to die from colorectal cancer and breast cancer than White men and women, respectively.

Source: The American Cancer Society

STI/HIV/AIDS

We provide free and confidential HIV testing and pre- and post-test counseling.

WHY? Infection rates for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have increased in Montgomery County, with Blacks having the highest rates.

Source: Health in Montgomery County, 2008-2016

WHY? Because in 2016, in Montgomery County, five times more Blacks were diagnosed with HIV than Whites.

Source: Maryland Department of Health

MENTAL HEALTH

We raise awareness and provide mental health education, screenings and referrals.

WHY? Because Blacks are 10% more likely to report having serious psychological distress than Whites.

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

WHY? Because Blacks are more likely to be misdiagnosed and to receive no or less adequate treatment for mental health disorders than Whites.

Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness

ORAL HEALTH

We provide educational materials at community outreach events focusing on oral health and disease prevention.

WHY? Blacks are among the groups with the poorest oral health compared to other races.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

WHY? During 2011-2014, 19% of Black children had untreated dental caries in their primary teeth compared to 10% of White children.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention










During 2011–2014, 19% of Black children had untreated dental caries in their primary teeth, compared to 10% of White children.













During 2011–2014, 19% of Black children had untreated dental caries in their primary teeth, compared to 10% of White children.













During 2011–2014, 19% of Black children had untreated dental caries in their primary teeth, compared to 10% of White children.













During 2011–2014, 19% of Black children had untreated dental caries in their primary teeth, compared to 10% of White children.













During 2011–2014, 19% of Black children had untreated dental caries in their primary teeth, compared to 10% of White children.




Source: US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

The African American Health Program (AAHP) is committed to eliminating health disparities and improving the number and quality of years of life for Black residents of Montgomery County, Maryland. 

AAHP's Executive Coalition's next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 11 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Building in the Spring Room.  The topic of discussion will be community collaboration.

AAHP's Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Classes at the Germantown Library will focus on cancer this January. On Tuesday, January 23, from 6 - 9 pm, the class will provide an overview of cancer and on Tuesday, January 30, from 6-9 pm, the class will focus on prostate, lung, and breast cancer.

For a complete listing of AAHP's October events, please see our October calendar.
See September Calendar

UPCOMING EVENTS

AAHP PSAs

PSA: Cross-Cutting Issues
PSA: AAHP Focus Areas
PSA: The S.M.I.L.E. Program
PSA: Diabetes
PSA: Men's Health

featured video

Learn more about screening for colorectal cancer from Capital Digestive Care.

Silver Spring resident Maurice Holtz discusses how he improved his health and lost weight by taking AAHP's diabetes education classes. Learn about AAHP's Kickstarting Your Health classes and DMeetings.

featured photo galleries

Click on the photo or caption to view all photos from that gallery.
AAHP Data Summit
Health Freedom Celebration Walk
Health Freedom Celebration Walk
Community Day 2018
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Why should YOU engage
with AAHP?

No matter your age or health status, your health should be a priority. AAHP provides a wealth of resources and services to help any individual live a healthier life.

To schedule a free health assessment, please call the AAHP office at 240.777.1833 or email

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African American Health Program
14015 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20904

(240) 777-1833
info@aahpmontgomerycounty.org


The African American Health Program is funded and administered by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and implemented by McFarland & Associates, Inc.

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