Bowie State University Embraces Black History Month Focusing on Health and Wellness

Spring Convocation Speaker Leads Prince George’s County Health Department

 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – Bowie State University faculty, staff and students are preparing to welcome Dr. George L. Askew, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services, and Education for Prince George’s County to the campus as the keynote speaker for the 2022 Spring Convocation celebrating Black History Month on February 16.

Dr. Askew is the responsible for oversight of the Health Department, Department of Social Services, and the Department of Family Services in Prince George’s County. The county, like the rest of the nation, has been consumed by the pandemic. His experiences will amplify the national Black History Month theme of African American Health and Wellness.

With COVID-19 dominating the headlines for over two years impacting schools, hospitals, businesses, and the lives of everyone, it’s not hard to figure out how Dr. Askew has been spending much of his time. But long before Prince George’s County reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Maryland almost 18 months ago, the county was grappling with a myriad of preexisting health conditions and interrelated social issues.

This past August, Dr. Askew spoke firmly against flyers that were circulated in the county spreading misinformation about the virus. “The bulk of the flyer is vaccine misinformation not backed up by science,” said Askew. “The difference with the vaccine is that this is an opportunity to receive life-saving medicine, life-saving treatment.”  Since August, Prince George’s County has seen a major change pertaining to COVID-19 under Dr. Askew’s leadership.

Today television commercials air frequently encouraging everyone in Prince George’s County to get vaccinated and boosted. Data shows that hospitalizations have declined below the pre-Omicron peak along with other state health metrics.

In addition to the convocation program which will be virtual, there are numerous other activities occurring at BSU during Black History Month.

On February 21, two virtual symposiums will be held. Black Health, Health Disparities and the Need for Health Equity will begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by Black Health, Misinformation, and Politics at 7:30 p.m. The Biden Administration created a Health Equity Task Force one year ago in an effort to identify and eliminate health and social disparities that result in disproportionately higher rates of exposure, illness, hospitalizations, and death related to COVID-19. Health misinformation has been channeled into communities of color during the pandemic causing many individuals to ignore precautions necessary to protect themselves.

For more information about other BSU Black History Month events, visit www.bowiestate.edu/blackhistorymonth.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.