Statistics clearly show that there are many health disparities in certain patient subsets, including Black and Hispanic/Latino populations. This is evident in the higher rates of illness and death across a wide range of health conditions in racial and ethnic minority groups, including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, asthma, and heart disease. HealthONE and HCA Healthcare are proud to partner with organizations such as the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and March of Dimes to build a healthier Colorado for all and to ensure every person has the opportunity to live a healthy life. How HealthONE and HCA Healthcare are working to prevent, treat and beat stroke Did you know someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds? Stroke is a “brain attack” that most often occurs when blood that brings oxygen to your brain stops flowing and brain cells die. Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is also preventable and treatable. “Black Americans have a higher prevalence of stroke and highest death rate from stroke than any other racial group. At HealthONE and the Swedish Neuro Network, we are committed to the care of every individual as a whole and our care teams are invested in performing a thorough health-related social needs screening on all patients and tailoring our care plans to meet those needs,” said Jaya Kumar, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer, HealthONE’s Swedish Medical Center. How does stroke impact Black Americans? Younger people (under 65 years) who have diabetes and have an ischemic stroke are more likely to be Black. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage in an artery; these account for
about 87% of all strokes. Black stroke survivors are more likely to have difficulties doing daily activities. Also, Black stroke survivors are more likely than white stroke survivors to have a second stroke within a year and are more likely to die from that stroke. Black stroke survivors are significantly less likely to be treated for many complications, including fatigue, spasticity and depression, compared with white stroke survivors. Why are Black people at higher risk for stroke? Not all the reasons are clear why Black people have an increased risk of stroke. We do know that there are a higher number of risk factors and societal challenges that may underlie new cases of stroke in Black Americans. The experience of racism results in chronic discrimination, stress, and depression that adversely impact Black Americans. Excessive stress can lead to long-lasting and cumulative damage to the body and brain, resulting in deteriorating health in early adulthood among Black populations.
Stroke risk factors in Black Americans include:
• High blood pressure — Over half of Black adults have high blood pressure. It develops earlier in Black people and is often more difficult to manage. • Overweight and obesity — Almost 70% of Black men and over 80% of Black women are overweight or obese. • Diabetes — African Americans are more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. • Sickle cell anemia — This common genetic disorder in African Americans is a risk factor for stroke. • High cholesterol — Nearly 25% of Black people have high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
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The Acumen
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