OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, has announced a powerful new partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to support VOICES of Black Women, a groundbreaking health initiative aimed at understanding and addressing cancer risks and outcomes for Black women. This collaboration, launched under OWN’s health initiative OWN Your Health, seeks to amplify awareness and drive participation in ACS’s long-term study dedicated to improving cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship among Black women.
Despite advancements in cancer research, Black women continue to experience the highest death rates and shortest survival rates of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers. This stark reality underscores the urgency of VOICES of Black Women, which aims to partner with 100,000 Black women aged 25-55 to collect crucial data that will inform solutions tailored to Black women's unique health experiences. Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, interim CEO of the American Cancer Society, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, "Despite significant strides in cancer research, Black women continue to have the highest death rate and the shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers. Partnering with Black women to listen and better understand their diverse lived experiences will give us the valuable data we need to develop tailored solutions."
OWN’s OWN Your Health campaign has been a driving force in providing Black women with the tools, education, and community support needed to prioritize their health and well-being. Through this partnership with the ACS, OWN is using its massive media reach (spanning television, digital, and social media platforms) to raise awareness and recruit participants for the VOICES study. Tina Perry, President of OWN, shared the network’s dedication to the cause, stating:
We are honored to support VOICES of Black Women in the mission to understand cancer risks and outcomes for Black women, and to provide the essential resources and platform needed to achieve its goal. Partnering with the American Cancer Society allows us to harness the significant power of OWN's reach to support the shared goals of OWN Your Health and the VOICES of Black Women campaign.
Officially launched March 5, OWN will launch a dedicated web page, OWN.tv/Voices, providing key information about the VOICES of Black Women campaign and guidance on how to join the study. OWN will also roll out an extensive media campaign across its network, digital platforms, and social channels to encourage Black women to take part in this vital research. To learn more about VOICES of Black Women and participate in the study, visit OWN.tv/Voices.
For more resources on Black women’s health, visit OWN Your Health and follow OWN Your Health on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
This partnership marks a significant moment in the fight for health equity for Black women. By combining OWN’s influence and the American Cancer Society’s research expertise, this initiative has the potential to drive real change in cancer prevention, treatment, and survival outcomes for Black women. At Women for the Culture, we encourage our readers to get involved, spread the word, and be part of this movement toward a healthier future.
Comments