Health Disparities Affecting Minority Populations Sanford Jeames, DHA Patient Advocate Committee

What are Health Disparities? Health Disparities are differences in health outcomes and their determinants between segments of the population, as defined by social, demographics, environment and geographic attributes.

Racial Disparities in health care Racial Disparities in health are well documented Racial and ethnic minorities receive a lower quality of health care even when income and access are accounted for Disparities exist throughout all sectors of the health care system. Unequal treatment Institute of Medicine 2002 3

What is the genetic architecture of disease across populations? Do risk variants discovered in one population: . confer risk in other populations? . confer the same magnitude of risk?

Why should I care? Era of personalized medicine - takes an active role in clinical decision making Genetic tests are currently available - how do I make informed decisions? Genetic Medicine may actually increase Health Disparities. Most information currently based on populations of European ancestry.

Addressing Erectile Dysfunction in African American Men Sanford E. Jeames, DHA & Shelley Imholte, LCSW, M.Ed, PhD-c Austin, TX HISTORY of RACE Black men face historical barriers to obtain access to healthcare system What will I do about this ED? System barriers led to mistrust of healthcare system by Black Men Incompatibility of healthcare professionals strongly contributes to mis-diagnosis of ED in Black Men

Racism, Poverty & The Man Box Men are born naturally loving and sensitive RACISM THE MAN BOX POVERTY Violence and Trauma Limited access to health resources Emotional and mental STRESS & risk-taking behavior LONG-TERM HEALTH DISPARITIES

Cycle of Male Socialization NEED FOR CONNECTION Violation Feelings of Powerlessness Masculinity Domination Isolation

Stages of Healthy Manhood Social Change Advocate Community Spokesperson Role Model for Family and Friends Personal Change

Community-Based Participatory Research Principles: Sees the community as having its own identity Builds on strengths and resources Allows for cooperation Gains partners from the project Encourages helpers to educate and empower others Sees health from positive and holistic viewpoint Long-term dedication by all partners

www.mensresourcesinternational.org

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