In a compelling and heartfelt Facebook Live, BDO’s Clinical Trials Editor Taylyn Washington-Harmon sat down with Dr. Jayne Morgan, a renowned cardiologist and VP of Medical Affairs at Hello Heart, for an eye-opening discussion on heart health in the Black community. From high blood pressure to heart disease and the clinical trials that shape our treatments, this conversation pulled back the curtain on issues that impact millions but are often overlooked.
Dr. Morgan broke it down: Black people are at a significantly higher risk for hypertension and heart disease, yet many don’t even know it. Screening saves lives, she said, stressing how early detection and small changes can lead to major health wins. While cardiologists like her step in during crisis moments, it’s the everyday choices of the patient—diet, exercise, regular checkups—that truly hold the power of prevention.
The conversation took a deeper turn when Dr. Morgan addressed the painful truth about why so many Black people mistrust the medical system. From being experimented on without consent to being operated on against their will, the history is dark—but it’s real. That legacy of abuse still haunts clinical trials today, where Black participation remains dangerously low.
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Clinical trials are how we get our medicine, Dr. Morgan emphasized. If we’re not part of the trials, we’re not part of the solution. And without representation—especially the glaring absence of Black female cardiologists—our communities continue to be underserved and overlooked.
This wasn’t just a talk. It was a wake-up call. Dr. Morgan urged viewers to get screened, ask questions, and consider joining clinical trials—not just for themselves, but for future generations. Because heart health is about more than medicine—it’s about equity, trust, and taking back control of our health.
Watch the complete Facebook Live and hear directly from the experts here.
