Caribbean Circuit
Stand Up for Your Health®

Overview  |  African-American Channel   |  Caribbean Circuit  |  Hispanic Channel  |  Asian Pacific Islander Channel | Native American/American Indian Channel Channel  |  Key Reports on Racial and Ethnic Disparities

Inaugural National Minority Health Month Celebration
Key Features: Former Surgeon General David Satcher
and National Center for Cultural Competence Honored; Andrea King Collier, Health Editor

Introduction to the Caribbean

As a result of valuable input from our initial Editors, Yvonne Graham and Kenton Kirby, Health Power developed a unique and culturally relevant definition of The Caribbean. Health Power is now pleased to welcome Dr. Villanueva, an Editor on our Women’s Health Channel, as an additional Editor on the Caribbean Channel, as well.

Technically, we define the Caribbean region as primarily consisting of those countries and territories (hereafter all called countries) called the Greater and Lesser Antilles. Culturally and in terms of immigration patterns to the United States, however, the Caribbean extends beyond the Antilles, and includes some countries in Central and South America.

Because of earlier colonization of many of these countries (and territories) by the English, Spanish, French and Dutch, many of these countries have multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-language (linguistic) characteristics.

• countries where the population is Afro-centric in all, or a significant, part; and
• (other Caribbean, Central American and South American countries from which a significant number of individuals now live in the United States and also identify themselves as from the Caribbean.

Although countries that have a Spanish dominance may technically be Caribbean, Health Power will pass them on to its Hispanic Channel for focus.

Health Power's Caribbean and Caribbean National Flags

Key national flags of the Caribbean, with their multiple colors and symbols, demonstrate the beauty and spirit of this beautiful and dynamic area of the world. Of even greater interest is the Table of Key Caribbean Health Indicators. It provides information on the birth rates, infant mortality rates, and life expectancies of 21 countries, ranging from Antigua-Barbuda, Anguilla and Aruba, to St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad &Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Our Channel Editors

Yvonne J. Graham, R.N., M.P.H., Editor, Health Power Caribbean Channel and Member of its Professional Advisory Council
A pioneer in public health, Ms. Graham founded, and was Executive Director of the Caribbean Women's Health Association (CWHA) from 1982 to 2001. CWHA provides comprehensive, culturally sensitive health care, immigration and social support services to a diverse clientele of more than 30,000.

In the capacity of Deputy Borough President of Brooklyn, a position assumed in 2001, Ms. Graham oversees health care policy, and is the Borough President's primary representative and key advisor on health care, immigration and general welfare issues. A Registered Nurse, she earned her baccalaureate degree from St. Joseph's College (NYC).

Kenton K. Kirby, Co-Editor, Health Power Caribbean Channel
Editor-in-Chief, Caribbean Life newspaper, a New York City weekly with a readership of over 300,000. Born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, prior journalism positions include Chief Reporter of The Vincentian, the major newspaper in his home country, and correspondent for: Caribbean News Agency, UPI, Radio Barbados and Radio Antilles.

From 1990 to 1995 Mr. Kirby worked in the New York City Health Department as a Community Liaison Worker and Public Information Specialist. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from the University of the West Indies, and an Advance Degree in Journalism from the International Institute for Journalism in Berlin.

Rachel Villanueva, M.D., FACOG, Co-Editor of the Health Power Caribbean Channel and Women’s Health Channel and, and a member of Health Power’s Professional Advisory Council
is also an Obstetrican Gynecologist at Arcadia OB/GYN, P.C. Prior positions held include Assistant Clinical Professor of OB/GYN, New York University School of Medicine; and Coordinator, Yale University School of Medicine Minority Research Apprentice Program.

Current and Prior leadership positions include National President, and Member of the Board of Directors, Student National Medical Association; Vice Chair, Council on Concerns of Women Physicians, National Medical Association; Vice President, Manhattan Central Medical Society; and Member, Executive Committee, Association of Alumni in Yale Medicine.

Dr. Villanueva earned her B.S. degree from Yale University , and Her M.C. degree, cum laude, from Yale University School of Medicine.