Unnatural Causes: October 16th - Jepson Center

The 100 Black Men of Savannah, Inc., in partnership with Healthy Savannah will sponsor a community viewing, of "Unnatural Causes: Is inequality making us sick?" at the Jepson Center of the Arts on Thursday, October 16th at 6:00 p.m. Unnatural Causes is a health & wellness initiative of the 100 Black Men of Savannah, supported by the Healthcare Georgia Foundation. Its main themes are: health and longevity are related to socioeconomic status, people of color face an additional health burden, and our health and well-being are tied to policies that promote economic and social justice.

Immediately following the viewing, a distinguished panel, composed of Savannah’s Mayor Otis S. Johnson, State Representative Lester Jackson, other elected officials, community leaders and health care professionals, will engage in a dialogue on the basis of and possible solutions to Savannah’s health inequities. It will provide a platform for 100BMOS members, mentees, constituents and other community-based organizations to develop Savannah and Georgia advocacy for policies that reduce socio-economic and racial health inequalities.

Unnatural Causes looks at what's making us sick in the first place; it investigates startling new findings that suggest there is much more to poor health than bad habits, inadequate health care or unlucky genes and circles in on a slow killer in plain view: the social circumstances in which we are born, live and work, can affect our risk for disease and “excess” death just as surely as germs and viruses.

The Jepson showing will be the fourth viewing of Unnatural Causes sponsored by the Savannah 100. Previous viewings were held for Savannah public employees, members of the Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, and the membership of the Savannah 100. The most recent viewing on September 20th at Armstrong Atlantic State University, for the membership of the Savannah 100, was highlighted a keynote address by State Representative Lester Jackson and the powerful segment, “In Sickness and in Wealth” which dramatized the connections between healthy bodies, healthy bank accounts and skin color, by following four individuals from different walks of life to see how their position in society – shaped by social policies and public priorities – affects their health.

For information on arranging for a viewing of Unnatural Causes by your organization or community group contact Ljohnson@100BlackMenSav.org.