From the Washington Post:

Washington has one of the the highest AIDS diagnosis rates in the nation, with higher numbers among African Americans than among the white population. Access to health care is another major dividing line. Roughly nine of 10 whites report having private health insurance, compared with fewer than half of African Americans in the District.

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From HamptonRoads:

Bad report from the doctor // And my bills aren't paid on time // All these things come rushin' at me // But I ain't got time to whine // Lord I need your mighty wisdom // 'cause my situation is unclear // Don't know where to turn // God's word came to my ear // I say speak to that mountain of cancer // And cast down that spirit of fear // Pack your bags, you silly demon // I say you're not welcome here. Lynne Young wrote those lyrics when her situation was cancer. But the Chesapeake woman hopes her song will inspire others to persevere through their hardships, whether they are related to health, family, finances or what she calls "the other speed bumps of life." Young, named Survivor of the Year by the Tidewater affiliate of the Susan B. Komen Foundation, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. That is only part of her story.

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As the sweltering heat begins to roll into the nation's weather forecast, some men may find it rather difficult to stay fly and self-sufficient during the summer months. Or better yet, not give a damn about their personal appearance.

Well gentleman, no need to fret, Nivea for Men's latest campaign, 'Look Like You Give a Damn,' serves as the cornerstone for any man vying to achieve success on a everyday basis. Let's be honest, as men when we take pride in our appearance, or look like we 'give a damn,' we act like it, too. Adding an overall higher quality of life, and ultimately inspiring others to become more prosperous in their own respective lives.

The global skin and body care company teamed up with Esquire magazine during the weekend of June 3 in Las Vegas to officially launch their new initiative. The three-day celebration attracted guests to the city's Aria Resort & Casino for various VIP events, including invitation-only parties, gifts and activities, in addition to a concert experience at Haze Nightclub headlined by world-renowned DJ and musician, Mark Ronson.

From The Root:

From headstands to "Namaste," these yogis have taken the ancient discipline and made it an integral part of their lives.



Russell Simmons:
Co-founder of the legendary hip-hop label Def Jam and the clothing line Phat Farm, and producer of many movies and TV series, Simmons is the archetypal multiformat black entertainment mogul. Since 2000 he's also added "devout yogi" to his résumé. Simmons meditates each day and has a vigorous, 90-minute daily yoga regimen. His studies at the famous Jivamukti Yoga Center inspired him to adopt a vegan diet. He is eager to spread the word via DVDs and a yoga scholarship through his endeavor Global Grind.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton recently brought good news to millions of women suffering from HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Last week she announced a public-private partnership with the M•A•C AIDS Fund to expand medical and emergency support services for survivors of rape and sexual assault in South Africa, a country estimated to have 3.3 million women and 330,000 children living with HIV/AIDS according to the 2010 UNAIDS report.

From Clutch Magazine Online:

Raise your hand if you've stayed diligent to your New Year's resolutions!

No, really...I'll wait.

From the Washington Post:

She is 74 years old, and she is ripped.

Sculpted deltoids, carved biceps and a stomach chiseled into a glorious six-pack that rises and falls into magnificent little hills and valleys.

It is the first thing you notice when you see Ernestine Shepherd in the front of the class, teaching body sculpting at a gym north of Baltimore.

Shepherd is wearing tight red shorts and a red bikini top. Between the two is her signature span of chiseled abs.

She is a Dorothy Dandridge beauty, a knockout. Her makeup is perfect, lips painted candy red to match her workout clothes. She has thick, black eyelashes and wears her hair in a long, gray braid that swings down her superbly sculpted back.

Read more here.

The flight to Bangkok's Don Muang Airport felt far longer than I'd imagined. It was Christmas break during my freshman year at the University of Hawaii, and I was 18, anxious, and alone. After high school graduation, many of my classmates were throwing big graduation parties and buying new cars. Those kids went looking for good times and great memories, but I was desperately searching for one thing only: a chance to be in the right body for the first time in my entire life. I had traveled more than 6,000 miles to have gender reassignment surgery - a sex change.

A recent poll revealed gynecologists in South Florida now discriminate against overweight patients whether they are otherwise healthy or not.

The Florida Sun Sentinel's poll found that 15 out of the 105 gynecologists polled said they have set weight cut-offs for new patients starting at 200 pounds or based on measures of obesity and turn down women who are heavier.