My Youth
Growing up in a small town in Mississippi, I remember hearing a “rumor” about a childhood friend getting cancer. The cancer was said to have been caused by large amounts of radiation in the air from a “factory plant” near their home. I recall hearing that the family received calls from Attorneys asking them to file a law suit to request monetary compensations, which verified the “rumor” may have been true. However, I don’t recall the family relocating or others in the area moving out of the community as a result of the radiation. Looking back, I am certain this was my first introduction to health inequalities in Public Health.

My Young Adult
While attending not just any Historical Black College and University (HBCU), but the HBCU that was involved in one of the biggest atrocities in Public Health (The Tuskegee Experiment); my attention focused on questions of why Public Health officials struggled today to delivery important information to citizens who needed the information most. I gained an understanding of mistrust during my studies of these “health inequalities”, as well as an awareness of the “untruths” and “doubts” a community can have with the healthcare system.

My Adult
I live in a city that promotes movement (physical and mental). However, I know there are certain areas near parks and bike trails where the movement is being taken advantage of and those who don’t know these areas exist to even entertain visiting. I have driven in areas and noticed large populations who live in “food deserts”. I communicate with people daily who are not clear on what they are eating and how it affects their livelihood. Moreover, people reach out to me via telephone on a continuous base of uneasiness in going to the doctor and not knowing what questions to ask or what exams they may need to save their lives.

What I know for sure is everyone deserves to have access to quality foods, doctors and information to make healthy decisions. Through my journey I am clear that my purpose is to educate, train and bridge the gap in health equalities by doing and showing. I created this organization and site to become an example of how to connect every person to information that will help them live longer healthier lives.

Govern Yourselves Accordingly!

That’s All

Kai Ianta Burks, MPH- The Soul of Public Health