Health Equity

During Minority Health Month in April, we highlight the importance of reducing health disparities through education, prevention, and access to care. Across New York City and much of the country, communities of color typically see higher rates of preventable illness and disease-related death. When serious conditions like cancer are caught early, treatment can begin more quickly and outcomes are often better.

Community Care of Brooklyn IPA (CCB IPA) is an integrated network of health and social services organizations in Brooklyn. We work alongside Fidelis Care to support Medicaid and Essential Plan members in getting quality care they can trust. Since 2018, our partnership has focused on helping members stay healthy by getting important checkups and screenings.

We understand how easy it can be to let annual screenings slip through the cracks. That’s why we partner with doctors in our network to help them find patients who may be overdue for screenings. We also reach out to offer help, answer questions, and provide support in many languages.

Here are a few of the key screenings that Fidelis Care and CCB IPA highlight for our communities:

Asthma affects children and adults in Brooklyn at some of the highest rates in the entire country, especially among Black and Latino New Yorkers. This outsized impact extends across the United States, where Black adults were 14% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have asthma, according to 2024 data[1]. Both adults and children experiencing symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or feeling short of breath should speak with their doctor about diagnosis and managing symptoms.

Breast cancer deaths in the United States have gone down over the last 40 years, thanks to improvements in screening and treatment[2]. However, cases remain high, and Black women are still more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. All women should speak to their doctor about annual mammograms starting at age 40.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers when caught early. Pap smears and HPV tests can detect early changes in cervical cells before they become cancer. If you are a woman between the ages of 21 and 65, talk to your doctor about how often you should be screened.

Colorectal cancer became the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States in 2026[3], and Black Americans are more likely to get it and at younger ages. However, colorectal cancer is often preventable with proper screening. For adults with average risk, screening should begin at age 45, with high-risk individuals beginning screenings earlier. Today, there are multiple screening options including at home stool-based kits and colonoscopies. Talk with your provider about which type of colorectal cancer screening might be best for you.

CCB IPA, Fidelis Care, and your healthcare providers are all here to help you stay on top of your care and recommended screenings. Talk to your doctor about getting routine, recommended screenings like pap smears, mammograms, and colonoscopies.  It can make all the difference and help you stay healthy!