FEBRUARY

BLACK HEALTH AWARENESS

WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?

According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, African Americans face a greater risk of death compared with other American racial and ethnic groups.  African Americans have a life expectancy three years shorter than that of non-African Americans.  

Research shows that the issue goes beyond race and involves complex structural barriers which are economic, political and historical in nature.  Also, social determinants continue to impede efforts to reduce health disparities.  The African American Health Engagement Study (AAHES) examines the health attitudes and behaviors of African Americans, revealing important health-related cultural differences compared to other non-African American respondent groups.   

There is a need for significant improvements regarding opportunities to strengthen engagement between the African American community, health care providers and medical organizations, toward improving health and health outcomes.

• 75% of African Americans claim to take some action to stay healthy compared to 52% of non-African American respondents.
• 36% of African Americans ranked their overall health - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual - as “very good” or “excellent,” compared to 43% of other groups.
• 79% of African Americans viewed their spiritual health as extremely or very important to overall health and wellness, compared to 59% of non-African Americans.
• 87% of African Americans believe they are not well-represented in clinical trials.  African Americans account for 12% of the U.S. population but make up only 7% of trial participants (FDA 2017, Drug Trials Snapshots Summary Report).  

Health Coverage 

Although health care is available, the African Americans are still one of the higher uninsured groups.  African American respondents indicated a higher level of health trust in medical organizations focused on health and medical information primarily of the African American culture.   Health-related beliefs of African American men are linked to societal attitudes and beliefs about masculinity.  There is an abundance of research and data on the impact of masculinity on the health outcomes of white American men.   

• 79% of African Americans had health coverage in 2009 compared to 88% of white Americans.
• 16.6% of African Americans aged 18 years and older do not have a regular source of health care.
• Nearly half, 46% of non-elderly black adults with no health insurance, report having one or more chronic health conditions.
• 50% of Black adults aged 65 years or older were vaccinated against influenza versus 69% of whites
• 37% of Blacks were vaccinated against pneumococcal disease versus 60% of whites
• 75% of Black women received prenatal care in the first trimester versus 89% of whites

Chronic Health Conditions

Asthma prevalence is highest among blacks.  Black children have a 260% higher emergency department visit rate, a 250% higher hospitalization rate and a 500% higher death rate from asthma compared to white children.  There are 13.24 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in this population.

Obesity - The problem of obesity is at an epidemic level in the South.  African Americans are aware of chronic diseases and illnesses that can be exacerbated by obesity.  The greatest deterrents for African American women who seek to reduce their weight is discouragement from family and friends, though little is known why.  Americans are eating less fat, but getting fatter, says Phyllis Balch, CNC, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 5^th Edition.”  The most common cause of obesity is poor diet, poor eating habits or a lack of exercise.

• African-Americans have a 51% higher prevalence of obesity while Hispanics at 28.7% have 21% higher obesity prevalence compared with whites at 23.7%. 
• Black American women at 80% and Mexican-American women at 78% are more likely to be overweight or obese than White women at 60%.
• 37% of men and nearly 50% of women are obese.
• 20% of African-American children are obese, compared with 15% of whites.

Prostate Cancer - In the U.S., African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer compared to other racial and ethnic groups.  African-American men are more than 1.6 times more likely than white and 2.6 times more likely than Asian men to develop PC.  African American men have a higher death rate from prostate cancer than whites and five times more likely than Asian Americans. 

Blacks in Africa have a lower incidence of prostate cancer and death compared to African-Americans in the U.S.  This may suggest environmental reasons such as dietary differences, chemical exposure or other unknown factors that may contribute to developing prostate cancer.

Breast Cancer in Young African American Women

• 24,000 women under the age of 45 are diagnosed with breast cancer annually and 3,000 will die.   

• African American women under age 35 have breast cancer rates two times higher than Caucasian women the same age. 
• Of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States, 11% are found in women less than 45 years of age.

• African American women are three times as likely to die from breast cancer as Caucasian women. 

• Women aged 45 and younger are more likely to have higher-grade tumors, larger tumor sizes and a higher co-morbidity of lymph node involvement than women over 65.  

• 40% of young women with breast cancer had no idea a young woman could get breast cancer prior to diagnosis.
• Fear and stigma are common reasons for not getting a mammogram.

AFTER DIAGNOSIS - Young women face unique challenges upon being diagnosed with breast cancer, including:

• Early menopause caused by chemotherapy
• Effects on fertility
• Psychological distress
• Challenges to financial stability  
• With breast cancer diagnosis there is a disruption of employment, both voluntary and involuntary, and their lives.  Treatment impacts young women in ways that are less pertinent or less severe to older women.  

African Americans experience higher incidence and mortality rates from many cancers that are amenable to early diagnosis and treatment.  African-American adults are under-represented in cancer trials and are much less likely to survive prostate, breast and lung cancer than their white counterparts.

Hypertension - Hypertension is more common and more destructive in African-Americans than in other ethnic groups, 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data.   The current prevalence of hypertension in African-Americans is 39.1%, which is well above non-Hispanic whites at 28.5%.  13.8% of African-American children have hypertension, compared with 8.4% in whites.  Blacks develop high blood pressure earlier in life and the average blood pressure numbers are higher than Whites.  Rates are particularly high for Black women. 

Black Americans & Heart Disease - Cardiovascular disease led to the loss of more than 2 million years of life in the African-American population between 1999 and 2010.  A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, Cardiovascular Health in African Americans, makes clear that compared to whites, African Americans suffer disproportionately from cardiovascular disease and have not benefited equally from the long-term population-wide reductions in heart disease and stroke. 

As a result:

• In 2012, life expectancy of African American was 75.5 years compared with 78.9 years for whites — a discrepancy of 3.4 years.

• Black women at 49% and Black men at 44% have higher rates of heart disease than White men at 37% and White women at 32%.
• Black men between 45 – 64 years of age have a 70% higher risk and Black women have a 50% greater risk of developing heart failure than White men and women.
• The earlier onset of heart failure means higher rates of hospitalization, earlier disability, and higher rates of premature death or death before age of 65.
• The annual rate of first heart attacks and first strokes is higher for Black Americans than White Americans.¹

Diabetes - Black Americans are 77% more likely than White Americans to be diagnosed with diabetes.   

• African Americans have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease than other groups.
• Nearly 15% of African Americans have diabetes compared with 8% of whites.

How Do You Take Charge of Your Health? 

The statistics mentioned in this article seem to paint a troubling picture of Black Americans and their health, but all is not lost!   Efforts to reduce health disparities are not limited to herbs and supplements but include overall physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.  Know your genetic background and start from there.   Listed below are herbs and supplements that can aid in promoting a healthy lifestyle. 

Asthma

• There are two forms of Asthma – allergic, provoked by allergens, and non-allergic, provoked by adrenal disorders, anxiety, low blood sugar, extreme temperature changes  (dryness or humidity) and stress
• Cardiac asthma is provoked by heart failure.
• Important nutrients:

1. Fish oils – a source of essential fatty acids needed for anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
2. Selenium – when blood levels are low.
3. Coenzyme Q-10 – has the ability to counter histamine.
4. Coenzyme A – Improves the effect of Coenzyme Q-10, and promotes detoxification of dangerous substances from the immune system.
5. Magnesium plus Calcium – May stop acute asthmatic episodes by increasing the capacity of the lungs.  Has a dilating effect on the bronchial muscles.
6. L-cysteine – Repairs lung tissue and reduces inflammation.

Obesity

• Keep it simple by making healthy lifestyle changes that includes a smart diet and exercise.  
• Limit the intake of complex carbs to one serving.  Carbs from fruits and vegetables do not contribute to insulin production.
• Important nutrients:

1. Spirulina – Excellent source of usable protein.  Contains nutrients and stabilizes blood sugar.
2. Lecithin – Breaks down fat enabling it to be removed from the body.
3. Coenzyme A – Improves the effect of Coenzyme Q-10, metabolizes fat, and aids in weight loss.
4. Multi vitamins and complex minerals – are needed for nutritional deficiencies.   

Prostate Cancer

• There is no known way to prevent the disease, but early detection can aid in curbing the spread to other parts of the body.
• Get an annual Prostate Specific Antigen, PSA, level test.  PSA is an antigen produced by the prostate gland.   Normal levels are 0 to 4.
• Important nutrients:

1. Coenzyme Q-10 – Improves cellular oxygenation.
2. Coenzyme A - Improves the effect of Coenzyme Q-10 to support the immune system’s detoxification of several dangerous substances.
3. Selenium – needed for proper prostate function.  The incidence of prostate cancer is significantly lower in men with higher levels of Selenium.
4. Maitake extract – Inhibits cancerous tumor growth.  Boosts the immune system.
5. Vitamin D deficiency – is linked to higher incidence of prostate cancer.

Breast Cancer

• Alcohol hinders the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
• Alcohol increases the risk of estrogen-positive breast tumors.
• Women who have had the disease and are on a low fat diet, decrease the reoccurrence of the disease.
• Men can also develop breast cancer.  It is usually diagnosed later and more serious, because it is less expected in men.

• Important nutrients:

1. Coenzyme Q-10 – Improves cellular oxygenation.  There is mounting evidence that Coenzyme Q-10 reduces the risk of breast cancer.
2. Melatonin – blocks estrogen receptor sites on breast cancer cells.
3. Maitake extract – Inhibits cancerous tumor growth.  Boosts the immune system.
4. Selenium – Protects the immune system by preventing the formation of free radicals.  It is also found to prevent the formation of certain tumors, including breast tumors. 
5. Vitamin E deficiency – has been linked to breast cancer. 
6. Vitamin D – low levels have been linked to higher breast cancer rates.

Hypertension

• High blood pressure is divided into 2 categories – primary, not caused by an underlying disease, or secondary, caused by loss of elasticity of the blood vessels or plaque build- up.  
• Important nutrients:

1. Calcium, magnesium and potassium – deficiencies have been linked to high blood pressure.
2. Coenzyme Q-10 – Improves heart function.  Coenzyme A - Improves the effect of Coenzyme Q-10 to support the immune system’s detoxification of several dangerous substances.
3. Coenzyme A - Improves the effect of Coenzyme Q-10 to support the immune system’s detoxification of several dangerous substances.
4. Essential Fatty Acids - Flax seed oil, Black Currant seed oil, Olive oil, Primrose oil – important for circulation and lowering blood pressure.
5. Lecithin – lowers blood pressure.
6. Maitake extract – reduces high blood pressure and helps prevent heart disease.

Heart Disease or Cardiovascular Disease

1. Heart disease - refers only to the heart and its blood vessel system. 
2. Cardiovascular disease - encompasses heart attack, stroke, disorders of the heart and blood vessels.

• Important nutrients:

1. Calcium, magnesium and potassium – important in the proper functioning of the heart muscle and electrolyte balance. 
2. Coenzyme Q-10 – Increases oxygenation of the heart tissue.  Shown to prevent reoccurrences in individuals who have had heart attacks. 
3. Coenzyme A - Improves the effect of Coenzyme Q-10 to support the immune system. 
4. Essential Fatty Acids - Flax seed oil, Black Currant seed oil, Olive oil, Primrose oil – important for circulation and helps prevent hardening of the arteries. 
5. Selenium deficiency – has been linked to heart disease.
6. Vitamin E – strengthens the immune system and heart muscle, improves circulation and destroys free radicals.
7. Cordyceps – can increase blood supply to the arteries and heart and lower blood pressure. 

ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

• Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 5^th Edition, Phyllis Balch, CNC
• https://www.pfizer.com/files/news/Pfizer_africanAmericanHealth_081318D.pdf
• https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/healthcare/news/2010/12/16/8762/fact-sheet-health-disparities-by-race-and-ethnicity/
• https://www.your-heart-health.com/en-US/heart-disease-facts/black-americans.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/BreastCancerAfricanAmerican.html.
• https://www.uscjournal.com/articles/management-hypertension-african
• http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/lower-your-risk/nonmodifiables.html
• http://www.cardiobrief.org/2017/10/23/blacks-face-higher-mortality-from-heart-disease-stroke/
• https://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5401a1.htm