👉 Want to continue the conversation in person? Join us at the My City My Health Conference in Des Moines on November 14. Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025

In this episode of My City Talks, Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Dr. Gregory Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at UnityPoint Health, to discuss the urgent challenges and opportunities around Black men’s health in Iowa.

They dive into why Black men are less likely to seek preventive care, the importance of screenings for prostate and colon cancer, and the role of social determinants of health in shaping outcomes. Dr. Johnson also shares insights on the financial cost of health inequities, how telemedicine can bridge access gaps, and why patients should see their doctors as partners in health.

Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of prevention, access, and how health systems can better meet communities where they are.

Show Notes – Black Men’s Health, Prevention & Equity in Iowa w/ Dr. Gregory Johnson

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
01:00 – Dr. Gregory Johnson’s journey into medicine and leadership
04:40 – From bedside medicine to population health
07:30 – What healthcare access really means: speed to treatment & patient experience
10:00 – Why Black men avoid going to the doctor and the cost of waiting
13:30 – Prevention matters: prostate, colon, and heart disease screenings
16:40 – The financial toll of health inequities in Iowa ($8.6B annually)
19:30 – Barriers to access: transportation and social determinants of health
23:40 – Meeting patients where they are & community-based solutions
25:00 – Doctors as partners in health, not just transactions
27:20 – Diabetes in Iowa: 100,000 undiagnosed cases
29:00 – Innovation in access: telemedicine and rural outreach
32:00 – Closing thoughts, My City My Health conference, and where to connect

Abena Sankofa Imhotep—author, podcaster, and moderator of the Civic Engagement Panel at this year’s My City My Health Conference—joins Corey Dion Lewis to talk about what civic power really looks like in 2025. From voting and fundraising to storytelling and showing up in community spaces, this conversation unpacks the layers of visibility, accountability, and connection that drive public health outcomes for Black communities.

They also explore the myth of “Iowa Nice,” why storytelling personalizes health data, and how public health can’t be a one-and-done conversation. This episode is personal, rooted, and full of real takeaways.

🎟️ Register for My City My Health Des Moines (Nov 14):
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025

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Show Notes:
00:00 – Intro: Why This Conversation Matters
01:10 – Abena’s Roots and Love for Des Moines
03:00 – What Civic Engagement Means
06:45 – Showing Up, Boards, and Community Work
10:15 – Fundraising, Bake Sales, and Local Impact
12:30 – The Bike Lane Analogy & Marginalized Communities
15:00 – Deconstructing “Iowa Nice” and Accountability
19:40 – Public Health Is Personal
22:00 – Storytelling that Humanizes Data
25:30 – Stephen’s Story: Prostate Cancer in the Black Community
28:40 – Abena’s Work: Sankofa Group, Substack, Podcast
33:30 – Final Thoughts + Conference Preview

Follow Abena:
🌐 https://www.abenasankofa.com
📰 The Imhotep Report on Substack
🎙️ Black and Privileged in America Podcast

Subscribe to My City Talks for more real conversations at the intersection of health, equity, and community.

Alzheimer’s isn't just something that happens “later” — it's impacting thousands of Iowans right now, and Black and rural communities are being hit the hardest. In this episode of My City Talks, I sit down with Keesha Ward and Jessica Duncan of the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter to break down the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, why early detection is so powerful, and what’s stopping our communities from getting the support they need.

We also talk real numbers, real stories, and real solutions — from the 14 modifiable risk factors to the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Des Moines.

Whether you're a caregiver, a healthcare provider, or just someone who wants to understand the impact of dementia better, this conversation is for you.

Show Notes:
0:00 – Welcome to My City Talks
1:05 – Meet Jessica & Keisha from the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter
2:12 – What gets them up in the morning
3:30 – Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s explained
4:55 – The current state of Alzheimer’s in Iowa
6:15 – The hidden burden on caregivers
8:00 – Why early detection makes all the difference
10:40 – The stigma in Black and rural communities
13:10 – How the healthcare system can do better
14:55 – 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia (2024 Lancet Study)
19:00 – Why sleep, exercise, and connection matter
21:10 – The Walk to End Alzheimer’s – what it is and why it matters
25:30 – How to get involved, register, and support
28:50 – Encouragement for caregivers and families
30:15 – Resources and contact info

Resources Mentioned:

• Alzheimer’s Association Iowa: https://www.alz.org/iowa
• Walk to End Alzheimer’s: https://act.alz.org
• 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900

Hosted by Corey Dion Lewis | My City My Health
We are a community on a mission — and the mission is just getting started.
🎟️ Register now for the My City My Health Des Moines event at www.mycity.health