1. Minority Health Concerns

2. In the mid 80’s a study was done on Black and Minority health.
The report described the six leading health problems that account for more than 80% of excess deaths among Blacks and other minority groups when compared to Whites.

3. Six leading health problems…
Cancer
Chemical Dependency
Diabetes
Heart Disease/Stroke
Homicide/Suicide
Unintentional Injuries
Infant Mortality

4. Approximately 80% of all diseases and premature deaths experienced by minorities are preventable.

5. Cancer
Black men are more likely to die form cancer than any other group in the US.
Risk factors: use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages and inadequate diet, infrequent medical check-ups.

6. Chemical Dependency
Among minorities , alcohol is a factor in 10% of all deaths and 50% of homicides.
Tobacco in 90 % of all lung cancer deaths
Drugs in 10% of all homicides

7. Diabetes
Native Americans are 10 times or 1000% more likely to develop diabetes then Whites.
Native American rates have risen sharply over the last 50 years
Risk factors: obesity, family/history, genetics, inadequate diet and poverty/

8. Heart Disease/Stroke
Black men are almost twice as likely to die from stroke as White men, and their death rate from stroke is more than double that of other minorities.
Risk factors: high blood pressure, inadequate diet, lack of exercise, obesity, high cholesterol levels and smoking.

9. Homicide/Suicide/Unintentional Injuries
Homicide is the leading cause of death among Black men aged 15 to 44.
Risk factors: use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, poor conflict resolution skills and environmental hazards.

10. Infant Mortality
Black babies are twice as likely to die during the first year of life while the rate for Hispanics is about 60% higher than that of Whites.
Risk factors: use of alcoholic beverages, other drugs during pregnancy, adolescent pregnancy and inadequate diet.

11. Contributing Factors for overall poor health status of minorities..
The lack of well trained minority health care providers.
Limited exposure of aspiring minority health care practitioners who could serve as role models or mentors.
Decrease number of minority students seeking post-secondary educational opportunities.

12. Test your gray matter….
An important factor that contributes to the overall poor health status of minorities is: The lack of well trained minority health care providers, The limited number of minorities who are willing to work in minority neighborhoods, The high rate of mental illness, or The consumption of ethnic foods.
What is the leading cause of death among black men ages 15-44? Homicide, Cancer, Heart disease, or Stroke.

13. Approximately what percent of all diseases and premature deaths among minorities are preventable? 20%, 40%, 60% or 80%
A health care employee working at a hospital on a reservation would notice an increased number of Native Americans with: AIDS, Lung cancer, Neurological disorders, or Diabetes