Blacks suffer disproportionate rates among many diseases such as prostate and breast cancer, diabetes and hypertension. During 2012, less attention was paid to these diseases and more attention was paid to kids’ health and diseases and health issues that are on the rise. Here are the top 10 health issues that affected 2012.
1 Healthy eating starts at home.
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new rules for school lunches that aimed at producing lunches with more fruits and green vegetables in an effort to reduce childhood obesity. After a short time, Congress overturned the new rules under pressure from the food industry stating the new rules were too expensive and that kids wouldn’t eat the healthier food.
Many were appalled by the change including some Indiana schools that by their own efforts improved school lunches and increased physical activity. For kids whose schools continued to serve inadequate lunches, local teachers encouraged parents to make wise choices at home.
Even fast food restaurants got in on adding healthier options for kids. They began to offer options such as low fat milk, grilled chicken and fruit.
Kids who are obese are more likely to be obese as adults, a condition that can lead to many unhealthy results, including cancer.
2 Live long and prosperous.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average life expectancy is 78.5 years. The leading causes of death (in order) are heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke and accidents. To help live a longer, healthier, happier life, the CDC suggested five healthy habits: exercise, positive social interaction, a high-fiber diet, lower stress and becoming a creature of habit.
3 Legacy Fitness Zone.
Made possible by the Near Eastside transformation primarily linked to Super Bowl XLVI, the Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center, commonly known as the Legacy Fitness Zone, opened to a community eager to take advantage of a fitness center right in their own community. Inside adults of all ages have access to fitness equipment including treadmills and total body exercise machines.
Near Eastsiders can also participate in health screenings, health and wellness classes, personal training, group exercise and individual workouts while at the facility.
4 A call to save a life.
Brenda Sharpe recalls the day when her granddaughter Ramonie Smith received a kidney transplant that saved her life. On the same day Smith received her kidney, three others received vital organs from the same donor. Due to that experience Sharpe has become a strong supporter of raising the number of organ donations in the Black community.
Physicians say organ donors are needed now more than ever. Although organ donors contribute more than 2,800 life-saving transplants annually, there aren’t enough organs available for the thousands of people waiting for a transplant. Misinformation is citied as the No. 1 reason more people don’t donate organs. The Indiana Organ Procurement Organization Inc. debunked organ donation myths and encouraged Blacks to help others in need.
5The truth about hepatitis.
People are bombarded with health information on how to protect one’s self from diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Add hepatitis to the list.
Hepatitis is the swelling or inflammation of the liver that can be caused by many factors such as viruses, medication, weight or alcohol. Those who are at high risk for hepatitis include those who have had blood-to-blood contact, sexual contact, mother to baby at the time of birth, those who are infected with HIV and most notably intravenous drug users who have shared needles.
There are also three forms of hepatitis that are acquired and manifest its self differently. The Recorder spoke with experts to inform the public about hepatitis A, B and C.
6 Don’t let the bed bugs bite.
Due to heavy travel and growth in population, Indianapolis ranked No. 13 on the list of most infected bed bug cities in the U.S. The study was conducted by Terminix. The Marion County Health Department reported receiving more than 850 phone calls for bed bug infestation in a six-month period. They added that infestations are affecting those who have socio-economic status and were spreading through purchasing used furniture and used clothes. In cities like Indy where people live next door to one another or in apartment buildings, bed bugs travel through electrical outlets, through cracks in the walls, in molding and through plumbing. The best way to remove bed bugs is chemical sprays or physically removing them.
7 Indiana enacts concussion law
Indiana Senate Bill 93 mandated proper treatment and recovery time for concussions, enabling most high school student-athletes the chance to get back to class, sports and other activities.
The key component of the law is the education of coaches, athletes and parents about the risks and symptoms of concussions. This means athletes and their parents have to read, sign and return an information sheet to the school that acknowledges the risks of concussions and head injuries.
8 Suicide on the rise.
Hoping to curb the escalating suicide rate in the U.S. especially among military personnel and young Americans, health officials spearheaded a program that encompassed Facebook and other private companies. The new strategy brought together many entities to raise suicide awareness, increase prevention efforts and develop new treatments for those at risk.
According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, America loses approximately 100 Americans every 24 hours from suicide. In 2009 more than 37,000 Americans took their own life and more than 500,000 people were depressed enough to have actually committed suicide.
9 High blood pressure amongst youth.
Younger adults with high blood pressure were less likely than adults with elevated blood pressure (hypertension) to be diagnosed during doctor’s visits, a study said.
Research examined the health records of more than 13,000 men and women aged 18 and older in the U.S. who had made at least two routine visits to their doctors within the previous few years and met the criteria for a diagnosis of high blood pressure. Family doctors were less likely to diagnose high blood pressure than internal medicine doctors and female doctors were more likely than male doctors to diagnose high blood pressure in young adults.
10 Review WIC program
The Indiana Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program is well known as a resource to provide infants with formula at no cost, but health officials informed Hoosiers that many more benefits, like breast feeding education and support and improved access to fruit, and veggies are available. The program also provides vouchers for supplement foods to low-income pregnantpostpartum women and to infants and children up to age 5.
