DREF Research Matters

👀 #dyk Less than 5% of Alzheimer’s clinical trial data comes from African Americans? This Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month, we’re shedding a light on many of the disparities that exist in Alzheimer’s care for communities across the country 💜🇺🇸Regardless of race, age, orientation, or socioeconomic status, everyone deserves access to fair healthcare and that starts with research 🩺🔬 With your help, and the help of others in your community, we can stop the spread of misinformation 🚫, treat Alzheimer’s early on ⚕️& contribute to finding a cure 🫱🏿‍🫲🏾. Visit the link in our bio to see how you can contribute to research on Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases! #researchmatters

#dyk Every year, approximately 1 in 640 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with Down syndrome? 🤔 That’s not just a statistic — These are thousands of individuals who continue to break barriers and challenge outdated assumptions about what’s possible ✨but awareness is just the beginning. Real progress comes when we invest in understanding. That’s why participating in research — whether through studies, advocacy, or support — is so important! 🔬 Research not only helps improve the quality of life for people with Down syndrome, but also drives insights into other conditions, from Alzheimer’s 🧠 to heart disease 🫀 Let’s use this National Down Syndrome Awareness Month to not only celebrate the lives, achievements, and unique perspectives of individuals with Down Syndrome, but to also educate, advocate, and participate. Together, we can build a more informed future for all of us. 🧬🫱🏾‍🫲🏿 #downsyndrome #researchmatters #downsyndromeawareness

📚 As National Health Education Week comes to a close, we’re highlighting once more the power knowledge has to create healthier communities. 🧠 In today’s digital world, health literacy means more than understanding — it means questioning. Before you click share: 🔎 Check the source 📆 Look for publication dates 🧬 Verify with trusted organizations When we can tell fact from fiction, we’re protecting ourselves & our communities 💪🏽 DREF Research Matters will continue to provide clear, concise, and trusted health information, because informed people help to build healthier futures for us all 😄🫱🏾‍🫲🏿 #researchmatters #healtheducation

How is research transforming breast cancer care? 🎀 Join us on Thursday, Oct 29 for Beyond the Diagnosis featuring Dr. Yvonne Collins, Jasmyne Watts, MPH, and Dr. Tshaka Cunningham. 🕒 7PM ET / 4PM PT Registration: bit.ly/DREFRMBreast #BreastCancerAwareness #ResearchMatters

Happy National Mammography Day! 🩷 Have you had a mammogram this year? 👀 Early detection saves lives, and mammograms are one of the best primary screening tools we have in the fight against breast cancer. Although #breastcancer can affect anyone, #dyk Black women are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, yet more likely to die from it? 🤯 This disparity highlights the urgent need for regular screenings and access to equitable care 🩻🩺 Eager to aid in the fight against breast cancer for all us? 🥊 Visit the link 🔗 in our bio to learn how you can help researchers knockout breast cancer! #breastcancerawareness #mammography #researchmatters

Happy World Mental Health Day 🌎🧠💚 #dyk 🤔 There are over 1 billion people in the world who are living with a mental health condition? Today is a time to come together to spread mental health awareness and support to all. We stand together to raise awareness, fight stigma, and advocate for accessible support for everyone. Mental health is incredibly vital & no one should face it alone ❣️ But support goes hand-in-hand with science 🧬 Participanting in mental health research means better treatments, deeper understanding, and brighter futures for those living with mental illness. Let’s take the first step in making mental well-being a reality for all by visiting the in our bio 🔗 Research is more than data - It’s hope ✨🔬 #mentalhealth #researchmatters

#dyk Domestic violence affects upwards of 12 million people each year? That’s an average of 24 people per minute ⏱️💜 While domestic violence affects all communities, races, genders, and classes, African Americans experience and lose their lives from these acts at a higher rate than any other group. This #domesticviolenceawareness month we’re standing in the gap with all survivors - Together, we can raise awareness & learn how to hold safe spaces for all survivors 🫱🏾‍🫲🏿🫶🏽 Stop the Silence. Stop the Violence. 💜 Advocates are available 24/7 at the following: 📞: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 💬: “START” to 88788 💻: thehotline.org #researchmatters #safespace #stopdv

Red (❤️) is going Pink (🩷) for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! #dyk 🤔 Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer found in women, with Black women having the lowest survival rate? While talking about breast health can be awkward, it’s something we must do in order to close health disparity gaps & lower incidence rates. So let’s take today to take charge of your breast health! Swipe to read our fast facts ✅, prevention tips 💡, and guide to breast self exams 📝 Be sure to share this information, talk with your doctor about concerns & visit the link in our bio to learn more about how you can make sure #researchmatters for all of us 🔬💓 #breastcancerawareness #breastcancer

Older adults haven’t always been included in health research, or much health information in general, but our research efforts are helping change that 👀🔬 By participating in research, you’re helping researchers better understand the many ways that health changes over time, and what factors may help keep us healthier, longer. Many factors influence healthy aging - Some are not within our control, but the ones that are can make a big difference in our quality of life as we age 👩🏾‍🦳👨🏾‍🦳🧑🏾‍🦳👵🏾🧓🏾 This #healthyagingmonth we’re sharing small tips and lifestyle changes that current research has shown to help people live longer & live better. To learn how you can make research include all of us, visit the link 🔗 in our bio today! #healthyaging #researchmatters

🫁 Every breath is a gift, but equal access to healthy lungs isn’t a reality for everyone… This #worldlungday , as we reflect on this year’s theme, “A Lifetime of Lung Health” we are reminded that protecting our lungs starts early and matters for everyone at every stage of life. #dyk 🤔 African Americans face disproportionately lower survival rates for lung disease and respiratory conditions? This is often due to delayed diagnosis, systemic barriers, and reduced access to early treatment. Expanding medical research and clinical studies are the foundation for closing disparities like these. By helping us discover better diagnostic tools, targeted treatments, and equitable care for all, we can bridge the gap and champion healthy lungs for everyone, for a lifetime 💙 📲 Join us in making a difference. Join lifesaving research today by clicking the link in our bio or visiting linktr.ee/DREFRM. We can’t change the stats without changing the science 🧬✨ #researchmatters #lungdisease

Happy Labor Day! ❤️💙🤍 Labor Day is a United States national holiday that celebrates working people, their contributions, achievements, and sacrifices in pursuit of national prosperity and communal well-being. Today, DREF Research Matters honors the dignity of all the workers who move our nation forward 🔧 🩺 🧯 In this pivotal time for all in the workforce, let us continue to create and support spaces where every worker is valued, respected, and empowered. That is how we truly celebrate the American worker and create the opportunity for all to live happier, healthier lives. #researchmatters #laborday

One of the things that’s got us tripping? The fact that Sickle Cell disproportionately impacts those of African descent! 🤔😲 1️⃣ out of 1️⃣3️⃣ African American babies are born with the sickle cell trait & unfortunately there is very little research on cures or treatments that decrease the symptoms patients with sickle cell experience. BUT 👀 that could all change with your help! Visit the link in our bio to see how we’re expanding biomedical research 🔗 Then sign up for our newsletter to get a special edition focusing on Sickle Cell later this month 🗞️ #sicklecell #sicklecellawareness #researchmatters

#dyk 7️⃣5️⃣ million Americans have psoriasis? 🤔👀 It’s a long-standing myth that only certain ethnicities can develop certain skin conditions. Everyone is prone to developing psoriasis & it’s important that we cannot only tell the difference between varying skin conditions, but also how they show up across different skin tones. 🤲🏼🤲🏾🤲🏿 Unfortunately, there can be significant barriers for people of color to receive accurate diagnoses and proper treatment for psoriasis. Misdiagnoses often occur, meaning that there may be more people living with psoriasis than what’s reported. Swipe through to learn more about how psoriasis affects us all, because it does more than we know ➡️ This National Psoriasis Action Month let’s take time to learn and spread awareness about why #researchmatters relating to autoimmune disorders 💜🧡 #psoriasis #autoimmunedisease

Eastern Region, are you ready?! 🐘 As we gear up for an incredible weekend of sisterhood, scholarship, and service at the Eastern Regional Conference, make sure to add DREF Research Matters to your itinerary! Visit us at Booth #616 in the exhibit hall to learn more about our latest initiatives, grab some info, and see how we’re continuing to expand research for the whole family. 🔺✨ 📌 Check out the photo above for the full schedule of dates and times the exhibit hall is open so you don’t miss us. Safe travels to everyone heading in - We can’t wait to see your beautiful faces and share in that unmatched Historic Eastern energy. See you at Booth 616, Sorors! 👋🏽♥️ #researchmatters #dst

Southern Region, are you ready?! 🐘 As we gear up for an incredible weekend of sisterhood, scholarship, and service at the Southern Regional Conference, make sure to add DREF Research Matters to your itinerary! Visit us at Booth #516 in the exhibit hall to learn more about our latest initiatives, grab some info, and see how we’re continuing to expand research for the whole family. 🔺✨ 📌 Check out the photo above for the full schedule of dates and times the exhibit hall is open so you don’t miss us. Safe travels to everyone heading in - We can’t wait to see your beautiful faces and share in that unmatched Dynamic Southern energy. See you at Booth 516, Sorors! 👋🏽♥️ #researchmatters #dst1913

Summer, Summer, Summertime ☀️ is in full effect & that means it’s time to lather on that sunscreen 🧴 This July, we’re bringing you the facts on UV protection & emphasizing the importance of using sunscreen on all skin tones and types. #dyk Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF), which is a number that rates how well they block the sun’s UV rays? 🚫🌅 We’re busting the age old myth that only lighter skin is affected by the sun! Everyone is susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer, no matter how melanated their skin is. For protection, dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 3️⃣0️⃣ before starting your daily activities, even if it’s cloudy outside ⛅️ Scroll to learn the how, what, why & where of sunscreen application & then go grab your favorite brand and put some on 🫵🏾😉 #sunscreen #skincare #researchmatters

🧠 Happy World Brain Day! Your brain is the ultimate supercomputer—running 24/7, powering your thoughts, storing your memories, and making you you. But just like any complex system, it needs care, protection, and continuous research 🔬 ⚡ #dyk More than 3.4 billion people currently live with neurological conditions, making brain disorders the leading cause of disability worldwide? Behind every major breakthrough for neurological conditions—from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to epilepsy and migraines—is years of dedicated science. Neurological disorders affect billions worldwide, and research is the key to unlocking early diagnoses, creating life-changing treatments, and giving families real hope! When we support health research, we invest in a healthier future for everyone, including those with neurological conditions 🧫✨ Visit linktr.ee/DREFRM to see how you can make a difference in health research. #brainresearch #researchmatters