High blood pressure, or hypertension is a significant health concern that disproportionately affects black and brown communities at large!
Here are some key facts:
Prevalence: About 55% of black adults in the USA have high blood pressure which is among the highest rates in the world.
Early Onset: High blood pressure tends to develop earlier in life among black individuals compared to other racial groups.
Severe Cases: Black people also experience more severe cases of high blood pressure
Systemic Factors: Historical and systemic factors, such as adverse social determinants of health, lack of access to care, and societal issues, contribute significantly to these stats.
Medication Adherence: There is a lower adherence to blood pressure medications among black people, partly due to lack of access to medication and distrust of healthcare professionals based on historical discrimination.
Genetic and Environmental Factors: Genetic makeup and environmental factors, including diet and lifestyle, play a role in the higher rates of high blood pressure among Black people.
Risk Factors: Obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle choices such as diet and physical activity are key risk factors for developing high blood pressure.
Health Disparities: Non-Hispanic Blacks have significantly higher rates of hypertension compared to non-Hispanic whites, while Hispanics and on-Hispanic Asians have lower rates than both groups. It is vital to learn more about this topic and stay on top of advocating for your health as well as the value you deserve in care. We as a people must do better. How? There have to be doctors who care about our health, reports show that black doctors (identified as Black or African American) are less than 5.0% in the Primary Care industry, if there are more I would love to hear your comments. Education is available: Online Health Portals like MSN Health: High blood pressure: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatments (msn.com)
Medical Websites- trusted Patient education: High blood pressure in adults (Beyond the Basics) - UpToDate
Heart Associations: Blood Pressure Toolkit | American Heart Association
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