Health Care
Every racial or ethnic group has specific health concerns. These concerns are based on genetics, environmental factors, access to care, and cultural factors. The African American culture is no exception to this fact.
The 10 leading causes of death within the African American community as of 2010 were heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, unintentional injuries, kidney disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, homicide, septicemia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
As reported by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, there are incidences more prevalent with African Americans than with the population as a whole, being the causes of some of the above causes of death. These incidences include:
("Minority health: Black," 2013)
Another disease that is prominent in, but not limited to, African Americans is Sickle Cell Anemia. Sickle Cell Anemia is a disorder in which the body produces crescent-shaped red blood cells. These blood cells contain abnormal hemoglobin called sickle hemoglobin or hemoglobin S. These cells tend to block blood flow in vessels to limbs and arteries, which puts the individuals at risk for organ damage and raises the risk for infection. This disorder is inherited at birth, and occurs in 1 out of every 500 African American births ("What is sickle cell anemia?," 2012).
As mentioned on this website, family reunions are a great opportunity for Elders and other family members to educate and inform younger family members about these health concerns.
The 10 leading causes of death within the African American community as of 2010 were heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, unintentional injuries, kidney disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, homicide, septicemia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
As reported by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, there are incidences more prevalent with African Americans than with the population as a whole, being the causes of some of the above causes of death. These incidences include:
- Limited maternal and infant healthcare
- Teen pregnancy
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Tuberculosis
- HIV/AIDS
- Poor nutrition
- Limited physical activity
- High cholesterol
("Minority health: Black," 2013)
Another disease that is prominent in, but not limited to, African Americans is Sickle Cell Anemia. Sickle Cell Anemia is a disorder in which the body produces crescent-shaped red blood cells. These blood cells contain abnormal hemoglobin called sickle hemoglobin or hemoglobin S. These cells tend to block blood flow in vessels to limbs and arteries, which puts the individuals at risk for organ damage and raises the risk for infection. This disorder is inherited at birth, and occurs in 1 out of every 500 African American births ("What is sickle cell anemia?," 2012).
As mentioned on this website, family reunions are a great opportunity for Elders and other family members to educate and inform younger family members about these health concerns.