African American Health Disparities: Heart Diseases (Research Paper Sample)

African American Health Disparities
Health has always been an issue of great importance for the human race and as such there are constantly medical researches that are undertaken to ensure that health is improved. Our health often insures that we are free from medical illness as much as possible and that is why preventive care is often emphasized on. Health issues tend to differ from one ethnical community to the other based on several reasons. When this occurs and there is a comparison of health issues between different population groups, then we can say that health disparity have taken place. Williams (2011) describes health disparity as the consideration of one population group as compared to another in terms of having a higher burden in relation to illnesses, disability, injuries and morality.
In general, health disparity does affect every ethnic group population but for the African American, it is often at its highest. African Americans have one of the longest histories and rich culture amongst the American population but their health disparities is quite alarming. This is because as compared to other ethnic groups, African Americans tend to top the list for more than one health issue that affects the American population. Statistically, the number of "preventable diseases, chronic diseases and premature deaths tend to be higher amongst the African American community" (Williams, 2011). There are several reasons as to why African American health disparities data is like it is today. This paper seeks to discuss the literature review of the various health issues that affect this particular ethnic group as well as some of the reasons behind the issue. It will take into consideration the top health issues for African Americans and that include obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Obesity
Obesity is the condition of weighing more than your height and age recommends one to be such that one has more fat deposits than muscles. On average, obesity does affect a good portion of the American population based on statistics that show that there is an increase in weight gain amongst Americans. For the African American community, being overweight has something that the community has always been associated with since time immemorial. This is largely because of the cultural norm of the community. To be of a certain weight is what the community terms as ideal and as such being "thick" rather than slim was always preferred. The cultural norm of preferring thick to slim is what continues to push the African American community further into obesity. Inforgraphic (2014) explains that 40% of the African Americans are more likely to suffer from obesity in relation to the Hispanic population.
Statistics also show that 30% of Alabama population are considered to be obese while another 37% of the same population is said to be overweight (Inforgraphic, 2014). Alabama being more of an African American State, the statistics are alarming as the number tends to increase rather than decrease. Obesity and being overweight has several health concern issues that come as a consequence of having too much weight on for the body to support effectively.
Food choices also make a good reason as to why most African American is overweight or obese. African Americans are known to enjoy food that are prepared in different ways and most especially fried or spicy foods. Food plays a huge role when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. It therefore makes perfect sense based on the diet and nutritional benefits the ethnic group gets from the foods they eat as the reason for their obesity. Most of the weight issues affecting the African American relates to food choice and exercise capabilities which are poor for the average person (Airhihenbuwa & Liburd, 2006).
Heart Diseases
According to Inforgraphic (2014), 30% of African American are most likely to die or be diagnosed with a heart related illness in their lifetime. This number is particularly higher as compared to the white population who share the same demography with the black communities. Heart related diseases can be cause by several reasons genetics being one of them. However, taking into consideration the African American population, this health issues is more than a genetic concern. This is because the population is said to exercise the least preventive care when it comes to most of the health issues they are facing.
Taking into consideration the issue of heart diseases, it is a health disparity for the African American because of the heavy smoking and tobacco uses in different ways. On average, most blacks will start or experiment on smoking from the tender age of 12 years and continue with it throughout their life into adulthood (Williams, 2011). The difference here is that in comparison to the white community, most people will have their first smoke right from the age of 16-18. The effects of smoking tend to progress with the continual number of years one has been smoking and as such, for the African American, they will have several health problems based on smoking alone. This is inclusive of heart related diseases.
Still on the same, 24.5% of African American deaths were due to heart diseases that could easily relate to lifestyle choices. As mentioned above, obesity is a problem for this particular community and with obesity other risks such as heart problems can easily occur. Obesity can easily lead to heart problems as the heart fails of functions effectively in order to support the addition mass of weight. This therefore means that based on the eating habits and lifestyle choices of neglecting the need to exercise, this particular community is at a higher risk of dying purely from heart related diseases. This is because of the connection the latter has with the previous such that heart diseases can be control if African American choose to make better choices.
Diabetes
Diabetes can be as a result of different things and this includes genetics. Looking at the health disparities of the African American community, Rushefsky (2008) points out that diabetes is one of the main health issue the population faces. An adult for the said community is twice as likely to suffer from diabetes as compared to an adult from the Hispanic community. Statistically, diabetes has a 60% chance of affecting the black community than any other community within the same locality.
Cultural beliefs often play a key role as far as diabetes is considered for the African American population. This is because out of cultural practices, the population will tend to trigger diabetes simply from the choices they make. Poor nutrition that can easily lead to diabetes is the sole reason as to why the health disparity rates for this particular problem is as high as it is. African American chose foods that may be healthy to them but on a nutritional level, the foods do more harm than good for the population (Airhihenbuwa & Liburd, 2006).
The inability to access healthcare at an early or regular point is yet another reason as to why diabetes seem to be affecting more and more African American. The burden of having no insurance and as such the inability to access healthcare facilities is greatly affecting this population in terms of early diagnosis and management of illnesses at an early stage (Williams, 2011). Diabetes for the African American population is something that can be managed as early as possible based on the medical knowledge that is applicable today. Therefore, the problem is that most of African American cannot access healthcare facilities at a good time because they lack insurance. Inforgraphic (2014) states that on average, one out of every five African American does not have medical insurance cover
Cancer
Cancer today is considered to be the reason for most incurable diseases throughout the world. This is because it kills on average almost the number of people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Generally, cancer is defined as the abnormal growth of cells and it can be attributed buy several reasons. Before cancer used to be a medical illness that was largely associated with genetics but today, even the environment we live in can be a cause of cancer. As a health disparity affecting the African American, cancer is most likely to occur in both the males and female in differe...