It is customary that I ask patients
about their family history. I have noticed that when I ask about
having a history of heart disease or diabetes, the answer is usually
“no”. The more appropriate question may be whether or not any
relatives have the above mentioned diseases. To some folk, relatives
and family members are not the same thing. To some, the family
consists of those who live in the house with them. Relatives, on the
other hand, include mother, father, brother, sister, aunts and
uncles. If you ask the right question you will get the right
answers. Please remember that family or relative history is very
important and should be well known by you and your physician.
The Top 10
Health Issues of 2005
This past year was
indeed a very good year for health information. There are many
issues, but these impressed me because they could save lives, as
well as improve the quality of life. And in some cases, remind all
that there is unequal health treatment for some American citizens.
The Terry Schiavo
case and it effect on end of life care.
The new drug BiDil
a race specific drug for heart failure
The new drug
Herceptin that prevents some breast cancer in women.
The medical
response to Hurricane Katrina.
The new vaccine
for cervical cancer.
The fact that
African Americans, Hispanics and women get inferior care in many
aspects of medicine.
New studies that
show diabetes can be prevented in some cases.
New studies that
show that the life span of Americans is improving, but not for
minorities.
Studies that show
health literacy is a major cause of health disparities
Cancer across the
board is decreasing but not for black folk.
To
Tell or Not Tell
I am sad to
report that the face of HIV/AIDS remains the same. Unfortunately,
young African American women still have more HIV/AIDS than any other
minority group. One of the causes of this dilemma is that Brothers
are not getting tested. Men, who are unsure of their HIV status, are
unknowingly infecting black females. Ladies, be warned. The “down
low” brother is still out there. A recent study reveals that 63% of
homosexual men did not regret telling their sexual status to family
or friends. Unfortunately the study was done among white homosexual
males so the behavior of black homosexuals is unknown. Over the
years much has been learned about the behavior of people with a
positive HIV status, but the behavior of blacks with HIV is still
unknown. The Center for Disease Control is considering recommending
that HIV screening become part of routine blood work for everyone
age 13-69. I think that’s a step in the right direction.
