In 2011, the International Self-Care Foundation launched International Self-Care Day to encourage everyone, especially communities like ours, to prioritize self-care as a crucial aspect of overall health. This day serves as a perfect opportunity to spotlight the importance of self-care and how it can significantly enhance our quality of life. This year, we at BHE Foundation are thrilled to share our tailored self-care tips and what self-care means for Black men and women.

Life can be vibrant and busy, but making healthy choices sometimes feels challenging, especially with rising costs of groceries, gas, and everyday essentials.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. One small but impactful step is choosing the right cooking oils. This simple switch can improve your heart health and fit your budget.

Let’s talk about cooking oils—what they are, which ones are healthier, and how you can make smarter choices in your kitchen.

Health literacy is more than medical language — it’s understanding the information that helps you protect your health.

This week’s health terms include:
• Hypertension
• Chronic Disease
• Preventive Care
• Social Determinants of Health
• Health Disparities

Knowing these terms can help you ask better questions, understand diagnoses, and advocate for yourself and your family.

HIV can affect anyone—but knowledge, testing, and treatment give you control.

This National HIV Testing Day, make it personal:

• Get tested

• Talk to your partner

• Share information

• Encourage someone else to know their status

Your health is power. Your knowledge is protection.

Take the first step today—get tested for HIV, share this information, and advocate for a healthier tomorrow. Together, we can conquer the challenges and disparities surrounding HIV in our communities.

Routine wellness visits and preventative health screenings are essential because many serious health conditions can develop without obvious symptoms. For Men’s Health Month, we cover essential routine screenings Black men should get to stay informed about their health. 

It’s Skin Cancer Awareness month!  A common misconception is that Black people do not get skin cancer. But we definitely can. In this post, we discuss skin cancer, detection, and how to prevent it. As the warmer months approach, we want to make sure you are taking care of yourself as you enjoy the weather.

Sleep apnea is more than a sleep issue. It is a chronic medical condition linked to high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and early death. For Black Americans, the risks are even more concerning. Research shows Black adults are more likely to experience shorter sleep duration, poorer sleep quality, and more severe obstructive sleep apnea at younger ages compared to other racial groups.

Despite how common sleep apnea is, it often goes undiagnosed in Black communities. Many people normalize symptoms like loud snoring, daytime fatigue, headaches, or waking up tired. Others may not have access to sleep specialists, health insurance, or culturally informed healthcare providers who recognize the warning signs early.

The reality is simple: sleep is healthcare. And untreated sleep apnea can quietly damage the body for years before diagnosis.