3-31-09

Minority Health

African Americans have more problems with disease than do other ethnic groups.  The problems include both prevalence of certain medical conditions and with diagnosis and treatment.

A number of diseases affect African Americans more than the majority population.  Diseases such as obesity, hypertension, coronary vascular disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer are more prevalent in minorities, says Dr. Wesley McNeese, associate professor of internal medicine at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.

SOUND BITE: “ . . . people who have diabetes mellitus for instance, have problems with their arteries not functioning as well and problems with arteriosclerosis.  Now this problem is the same problem you see in people who have coronary artery disease or coronary vascular disease, and it’s the same problem that can lead people to have strokes.”

Dr. McNeese says African Americans have higher incidences of certain cancers including prostate cancer and breast cancer.  And the cancers are generally discovered in a more advanced stage in minorities.  In addition, Dr. McNeese says minorities are subject to health disparities.

SOUND BITE: “ . . . it has been shown that there is uneven treatment for these groups.  So, they have poor health and poor health care as a group.  And as a result of that, whenever they are dealing with disease processes, they tend to have a worse time that other groups do.”

Dr. McNeese encourages African Americans to be more proactive in their health care.  He says they need to see their primary care physician on a regular basis and take advantage of various health screenings offered in their communities.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.