Prevention over Treatment

Black history month is here, a month where we highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of black people who have made historic contributions to the world.  People such as Garrett A. Morgan, Claude McKay, Booker T. Washington, Sojourner Truth, Harriett Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Madame CJ Walker, Ben Carson and the list can go on for days.  Highlighting health issues that plague the United States occurs daily in the media, but we want to highlight the health issues that are prominent in the black community.

Often times, there is a notion that pretending that something doesn't exist is the best way to make things go away.  This notion is commonly held by men in general and more specifically by the black community.  In our community, certain chronic diseases are dominant, unfortunately they are dominant in the United States overall as well.  Diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and cancer are at the top.  According to the CDC in 2011, there were an estimated 26 million people over the age of 20 living in the United States  who had diabetes.  Heart disease was 1st in leading causes of death among Americans and strokes were 4th.  Thirty percent of Americans have heart disease as well, and when it's broken down to the black community over 40% of our community has heart disease.  One of every three adults (36% as of 2010) in the United States are considered obese. Looking at our nation's kids, 17% of children are considered obese as well, a number which as tripled over the last 40 years.  Within the black community, 37% of men and 53% of women are overweight.  We can't pretend anymore! There has to be a new standard of health.

1. Dispel the myths - There is a common belief that in order to be healthy, one must be skin and bones.  Absolutely incorrect, no one is telling you to be 110 lbs (not that there's anything wrong with that) however, what one must understand is that weight adds to one's health issues.  Lack of exercise and proper diet and having added weight, becomes a health issue which can lead to chronic diseases. Letting go of certain ideologies will lead to a healthier black America.
2. Lead by example - The 17% of children in the US that are considered obese is indicative of their example.  From the 1960's, only 13% of adults were obese and as you can see that is close to triple of the American population as well.  If we would lead our children, walks in the park, playing sports as a family, riding bikes, skating, hiking, etc. and teach them that exercise is not only fun but also good for our health it can lead to a healthier America.  Leading our children's diet is also necessary because that is the main reason people are overweight.  Teaching our children to add fruits and vegetables to their diet, how to cook, and portion control will assist in keeping our community healthy.  
3. Encourage each other - A couple of reasons people don't exercise and eat healthy include embarrassment and fear, laziness, and a lack of external support.  I have encountered a number of people who do not want to workout in front of other people, they feel that they look silly and so therefore rather than workout at home, they do nothing.  Don't worry, more than likely, you don't look like this(see youtube video at the bottom)...and even if you do, it doesn't matter.  You are at the gym for your own benefit, not for anyone else's. Laziness, hurts people in their diet and their exercise regimen because people use it as their reason to eat out and to stay in the house.  There isn't enough external support for people trying to lose and change their lifestyle.  Not enough people encouraging them as they attempt to eat healthier foods.  Not enough questioning if someone made it to they gym or did their home workout.  People need accountability and encouragement! There are multiple ways to become accountable.  Create accountability groups in which you report your progress to others and everyone is there to encourage each other to do better.  Create these groups among your close friends, your family, coworkers, church, and even within your neighborhood.  Social media is an excellent way to connect with friends and strangers (new friends) as you encourage each other in your movements toward a healthier you.  

Let's start reversing the trends of an unhealthy America and more specifically black America.  Let's start leading our children in the direction of living healthier at a younger age so that they don't have to make a lifestyle change.  Let's start preventing chronic disease over treating them.  Finally, let's start encouraging each other to a healthier us in 2014 and for years to come.

For the full CDC report click HERE