The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) introduced Own Your Health, an initiative striving to support Black women’s mental and physical well-being through essential tools and resources for the mind, body, and soul. Since its launch in 2021, the network has remained dedicated to empowering Black women to take charge of their health, and this year’s Women’s History Month sees the newest step to help the community. OWN announced a partnership with The American Cancer Society’s VOICES of Black Women campaign, a “collective commitment to understanding and improving the health of Black women across the nation.” The VOICES of Black Women campaign brings together Black women ages 25 to 55 to share their experiences with cancer, helping to uncover key insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

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Tina Perry, president of OWN, says, “Partnering with the American Cancer Society allows us to harness the significant power of OWN’s reach — across our linear, social and digital footprint — to support the shared goals of OWN Your Health and the VOICES of Black Women campaign.” 

This collaboration comes at an important time, as Black women continue to face systemic barriers in healthcare. Racial disparities in maternal mortality remain stark, with Black women dying at rates 3.5 times higher than their white counterparts in 2023,  according to AP News. Similarly, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health reports that Black women have a higher mortality rate than white women after a cancer diagnosis. 

“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,” said Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, interim chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). 

This partnership is a powerful way to honor Women’s History Month, highlighting the ongoing fight for equity in healthcare for Black women. Supporting initiatives like VOICES of Black Women and Own Your Health can make a real impact. To learn more, visit the partnership’s webpage, where you’ll find in-depth resources, on-air segments about the collaboration, and full-scale media coverage of this important movement.

Cover Photo: The Oprah Winfrey Network Partners with American Cancer Society for Women’s Health / Credit: Tahiti Spears on Unsplash