More African American families should be linked into health care awareness, which includes screenings for diseases that strike the Black community at higher rates and also carry increased mortality rates.
This was a message during the Family Wellness Day on March 15, 2025, at BJC Commons, hosted by the St. Louis, Gateway (Illinois) and Archway Chapters of The Links Incorporated.
“We are coming together at the expo to promote health wellness for the entire family,” said Dr. Lannis Hall, a nationally respected leader in radiation oncology and cancer disparities and Links member.
“And we want to do it in an atmosphere of fun.”
The merriment included games and prizes for children, line dancing sessions for adults and other activities – but the goal of the day was getting serious about health care in the Black community.
Screenings for kidney health, dementia/Alzheimer’s, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, prostate, hemoglobin and other health issues were available throughout the day.
“And all are free,” said Hall.
Through volunteers representing organizations, panel discussions, and screenings, the Family Wellness Day helped achieve the Links’ goal to reduce health and economic disparities, while saving and improving lives in the Black community.
The St. Louis Links were not alone in this mission during the day. Links Black Family Wellness Expos were being held nationwide on March 15, 2025.
“Nationally, there will be tens of thousands of people involved,” said Stacy Edwards, Gateway Chapter president.
“We want to make a difference across the entire country.”
Joining her in the important mission were Kay Royster, St. Louis Chapter president, Lauren Nash Ming, Archway Chapter president and dozens of Links members who were sporting green shirts – on the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Black K.A.R.E (Kidney Awareness Resources and Education) was part of the day, and Hall said, “we need to get kidney screening into the community.”
“We can change our diet, do more exercise, to at least slow some of the disparities.”
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, high blood pressure is common in 12% of Black people vs. 10% of whites aged 18-34 years, respectively. It is common in 33% vs. 22% of those aged 35-49 years, respectively.
Diabetes is common in 10% of Black people aged 35-49 compared to 6% of whites.
Stroke is present in 0.7% of Black people aged 18-34 compared to 0.4% of whites the same age. Stroke is common in 2% of African Americans compared to 1% of whites aged 35-49 and 7% vs. 4%, respectively, in those aged 50-64.
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that Black Americans are roughly 1.5 to 2 times more likely than whites to develop Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Rethel and Edd Chappelle were clad in purple shirts, a color used for Alzheimer’s awareness, as they volunteered for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Rethel’s mother was a vascular dementia patient when she moved to St. Louis to care for her from Philadelphia. Her husband, Edd, would relocate too, and together they say early screening is essential.
“We want to get more people participating in screening. We want to get more people involved with the Alzheimer’s Walks,” said Edd Chappelle.
“We need to be a part of the research. We need to say, ‘look at us.’”
He said volunteering for screenings and research is important because “if we’re not at the table, we don’t have a voice.”
Hall said The Links are dedicated to reducing disparities “from adolescent obesity to dementia.”
Founded in 1946, The Links, Incorporated has more than 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom.
Its members contribute more than one million documented hours of community service annually, including events like the well-attended and vibrant Family Health Expo.