Overall Health In Black Americans: A Case Study

Summary of Findings This project discusses key health disparities that exist between Blacks and Whites in the United States Health Care System. This analysis also discusses the historical origins of the health disparities that exist between Blacks and Whites in the U.S. Health care system. This analysis describes the complex social, political and health factors of health disparities between Black and Whites. This describes the steps individuals can take to combat racism and decrease health disparities among African Americans and whites.

Most of the circumstances that contribute to reduce the Americans ' health are lifestyle choices, personal behaviors and social pathology, such as homicide by guns, car accidents and problems with drugs. Another condition associate with the American health disadvantages is the higher percent of pregnancy girls between 15

For example, the highest socioeconomic (SES) blacks which had an income that was greater than 50,000 dollars were more segregated than the poorest Latinos and Asians with an income of less than 15,000 dollars. Eating healthy and exercising regularly is difficult for individuals in segregated areas because they lack recreational facilities and exercising outside is dangerous due to safety reasons. Healthy food is expensive compared to junk food or fast food which is relatively cheap so those on a low-income budget will choose the cheapest food available which can cause obesity and

Renowned author of Under the Skin and associate professor at CUNY’s Journalism School, Linda Villarosa delivers several key facts in her interview on Black American regarding racial health disparities in America. Villarosa discusses many factors of health disparities, such as the distrust African Americans have of the healthcare system, the unjust treatment of African Americans in the hands of healthcare practitioners, and the underrepresentation of African Americans in clinical trials. Villarosa makes it clear that there is a deep disparity between the treatment of black and white Americans in the healthcare system. The author uses statistics and anecdotal evidence to present a thorough evaluation of health disparities in America.

In chapter thirteen, Hispanic/Latino health issues, Thomas A. LaVeist examine the health status of the Hispanic/Latino population. The Hispanic and Latino group is the largest nonwhite racial and ethnic group in the U.S. The Hispanics and Latinos have overall good health but can have some trouble when it comes to accessing good quality health care. A lot of Hispanics and Latinos are uninsured. With being uninsured, it’s hard to get the proper health care that is needed.

Omenka et al. (2020) studied the health experiences and needs of the African American population in the United States. The results showed that in the United States, healthcare providers have scare knowledge of the Black population compared to other cultures and ethnicities (Omenka et al., 2020). Omenka et al. (2020) explain this gap in knowledge regarding health experiences and needs in Black populations is due to low research in health around the Black community, and the view that all Black populations are the same and have the same healthcare needs.

According to Webster, Wellness is the state or condition of being in good physical and mental health. Although, African-American are considered to be the minority in America we are a huge fraction of the diseased American population. African Americans are 60% more likely to contract diabetes; also African Americans are more likely to suffer kidney disease, resulting from diabetes. 3 million African American’s have diabetes; the more astonish fact is that a third of the people with diabetes are oblivious to the fact they have it. African American’s develop high blood pressure earlier in life than other Americans; 45% of black women have the affliction.

The health status of African American men constitute a complex story of historical oppression, social forces of discrimination at political, institutional, and individual levels, and economic disadvantages that have worked against the health of black men for centuries. Many African American men continue to suffer disproportionately from poor physical and mental health, and are also feared and marginalized in American society. It is clear that the health disparities among African American men are astounding when compared to other racial, ethnic male groups, especially white males. The awakening to the existence of health disparities has brought concern about African American males ' health issues in the US. Though many other indicators of quality

There are four major barriers identified from the above status of the African American population and these are related to socio-economic status of this minority group as most of find healthcare extremely too expensive to obtain. Some of African American are immigrants with various language barriers and has difficulties in understanding the health care need or are scared to talk about their conditions with healthcare providers. Due cultural differences, lifestyles and beliefs acquired from their fore fathers, and are not willing to change from the old way of living to adopt a new healthy ones and lastly, health care workers also discriminate against African American patients and as such that most of them refuse to seek treatment for the ailment because experiences encounter in the past (American Nurses Association,

between a span of 2000 and 2010, the prevalence concerning chronic disease comorbidities have increased from 32.2-42.4% for Hispanics and African American population from 43.8-51.6% in people 65 and older. In order to get these numbers to start decreasing those that work in healthcare must first understand the social determinants of health such as conditions where people are born, grow up and live. One social determinant that affects a population access to health is socioeconomic status. Low socioeconomic status is seemingly the most common cause for health care disparities. Socioeconomic status is characterized by a person’s or group’s social standing, education, income and occupation.

The lack of physical activity, and poor diet habits can lead to more problems and money that they do not have to fix the problem. If the person lives in a poor community the education about health is poor. 4. What are some reasons for disparities in access to health care?

The author also highlighted that addressing issues concerning unequal availability to healthcare is in imperative in order to reducing health disparities (McHenry, 2012). I think as APNs one thing we can do is make patient aware of what their insurance will cover and what types of services they are eligible for. For many patient, suggested interventions and treatments may be disregarded due to a lack of financial means. In addition to this many people have simply decided not to take advantage of health insurance coverage that is available to

A link between poverty, low educational attainment and poorer health outcomes with increased morbidity and mortality is well established (Causes of Health Disparities, n.d.). Also, certain religious practices may not allow one person to obtain the believed cure or care needed to prevent certain illnesses and diseases. A lack of income and low educational attainment decreases one 's chances of having quality access to healthcare. If one is not able to afford health care or is ignorant to what the health care field has to offer, illness and disease may build up over time, increasing chances for a health disparity. Gender and age could also cause one not to want to obtain health care, furthermore decreasing their health.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most ethnicities in the United States, including African Americans, Hispanics, and whites.(2)” Among these ethnicities, African Americans have the highest death rate. Why is it that African Americans are at the top of this list? Perhaps it is because of the social inequality experienced on the socioeconomic scale. Socioeconomic status can heavily influence the optimal health of the heart in an individual; resulting in cardiac injury.

Nurses are critical for promoting health in the society. The profession is highly flexible, since they specialize in diverse operations in the medical field. Registered nurses, for instance, are responsible for the administration of medicine and inoculations to patients (American Nurses ' Association, 2000). Additionally, these professionals observe, record, and enlighten doctors of any changes in a patient’s health. Nurses interpret and evaluate diagnostic examinations to determine an individual’s condition, as well as making the necessary adjustments in patient treatment plans on their health progress.