Getting health check ups throughout one’s growing years helps people stay well throughout their lifetime. For some, access to that medical care is as common as running water. For many – especially minorities – it is not.
Being that April is National Minority Health Month, this is the perfect time of year to focus on the importance of prevention. It’s more beneficial to maintain health throughout one’s lifetime than to try to treat illnesses and conditions once they’ve progressed.
In this day and age, it seems startling that some people still lack access to health care and health education. That’s especially true for minorities who still experience poorer health outcomes more often than their Caucasian counterparts.
It’s well documented that minorities have less access to lifesaving cancer screenings, tests and whole-health education. They also have a higher rate of disease throughout all stages of their lives, compared to Caucasian groups.
But some health agencies are making great strides in changing the wellness of those with the least access to care.
To help educate minority populations about the risks of cardiovascular disease, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services are leading the Million Heart Initiative to prevent 1 million hearth attacks and strokes by 2017 by educating people about the risks of cardiovascular disease.
Currently, cardiovascular disease is responsible for 1 of every 3 deaths in the United Sates, costing the nation $444 billion per year in healthcare expenses and lost economic productivity.
The Center for Disease Control launched the Hypertension Control Challenge to recognize and reward high performing medical professionals who are involved in controlling blood pressure.
Another program, Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Project is helping promote healthy eating and physical activities. The program serves millions of children ages 2-12 who are eligible for low-cost health insurance.
To learn more about other programs and opportunities to help minorities lead healthier lives, visit National Minority Health Month.
If you know someone who could benefit from learning more about addressing their specific health needs, please share this article with them.
Sources
http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/MHMonth.html
http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/MHMonth.html#HHS ActionPlan
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