Here at Montes Medical Group, we are passionate about supporting the health and well-being of minority communities. Since April is National Minority Health Month, we would like to share some important health information, advice, and support to all of our incredible patients and their families. This month is a great time to build awareness about the health disparities minority communities face, while also highlighting ways for them to achieve health equity.
In this blog, we will explore important health advice that can address the unique health needs and challenges that minority populations face. Fortunately, this information can benefit all people, regardless of their backgrounds. Keep reading to learn more!
Minority Health & Wellness
As our country becomes more diverse, we need to address health issues that are holding back minority communities from being as healthy as they can be. Unfortunately, data shows that racial and ethnic minority groups experience higher rates of illness and death across a wide range of health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and heart disease. Although some of these issues are related to genetics, they are also tied to lifestyle decisions, cultural habits, and socioeconomic healthcare opportunities, such as:
- Less access to quality & affordable healthcare
- Reduced access to disease prevention efforts
- Lower quality of education
- Less social and economic advantages
- Discrimination & racism
These factors contribute to various health problems in minority and underserved communities here in the United States. Some of the most common diseases and chronic health conditions minorities face include:
- Obesity – Latino & African-American adults have the highest prevalence of obesity in the U.S. This may be due to limited access to healthier foods and exercise facilities. Unfortunately, obesity can increase the risk of developing other health conditions.
- Diabetes – Minority groups also have a higher risk of developing diabetes and complications from the disease. African Americans are sixty percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and twice as likely to die from it than whites. Hispanics are seventy percent more likely to be diagnosed, and Asian Americans are forty percent more likely.
- Heart Disease – According to the American Heart Association (AHA), minority groups and African-Americans in particular, are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Approximately sixty percent of African-American women have heart disease with stroke being the leading cause of death in their demographic. African-American men have a seventy percent higher risk of heart failure than white men.
Health Tips for Minority Communities
Thankfully, there are so many great ways for minorities to boost their health and prevent illnesses from forming. Here are a few tips to get started:
- Community Support: Finding health-focused community groups can be very helpful for minorities looking to connect with others from their backgrounds. This may look like groups from cultural centers, faith-based groups, or even exercise groups tailored for specific minority groups. Connecting with other minorities who also want to improve their health can be empowering and motivating.
- Access to Health Information: Many people in minority communities struggle to speak English when interacting with healthcare providers. Latino communities are more likely to stay healthy when they can access healthcare information in Spanish as well as English. For this reason, it is essential to advocate for bilingual healthcare services and resources in your community. Spanish speakers can also take advantage of quality bilingual health websites, phone lines, and educational materials from reputable healthcare providers.
- Family-Focused Wellness: We all know that minority cultures can be very family-focused and play a key role in everyone’s overall health and well-being. For this reason, family members need to lead by example and ensure everybody is prioritizing healthy habits together. Children can be involved in the cooking process and also in family physical activities.
- Healthy Cultural Celebrations: Minority communities have so many beautiful cultural celebrations and traditions throughout the year. Finding a way to integrate healthy choices into these celebrations can be very helpful in promoting well-being all year long. For example, choose healthy ingredients when preparing traditional dishes or incorporate physical activity into traditions whenever possible.
Conclusion
As you can see, we need to shed light on health issues impacting the many minority communities in our country. Doing so can make it easier for us to overcome these challenges and promote health equity amongst our diverse population groups here in the United States.
Minority groups can also lead their communities and families toward better health by prioritizing nutrition, physical activity, and preventative care in their lives. Together, we can tackle the health problems minority communities face and ensure our children have a healthy future ahead of them.