Effects Of Health Promotion Among African Americans

Health Promotion Among African American Minority The health status of the African American has been declining over the last century. Studies have shown that African Americans have less access to appropriate health care and that includes preventative care for children and adults. African Americans are not only more susceptible to disease and illness; they are also more likely to die from them. This minority tends to have the worst indicators of all health minorities. So has life expectancy improved for African Americans? Yes, it has improved. “The life expectancy has improved greatly for all Americans during the last century.” (Black Demographics,’n.d.’) This paper will compare the health status of the African American and the barriers that

African Americans are less likely to use healthcare. They tend to not visit the doctor. Their reasoning could be the barriers that were just defined but African Americans tend to wait until it’s too late to do many preventative measures. For example, obese African American patients are less likely to receive counseling about diet and exercise. They would not be able to afford exercise equipment or a gym membership to increase exercise. It is also expensive to buy food especially that is low sodium for a well-balanced meal. Society has made it cheap and easy for fast food stores which is unhealthy for someone watching their salt intake and weight. The biggest barrier of all is medical mistrust. If an African American mistrusts the healthcare than they are more likely not to go to a healthcare provider, they will not be compliant with medication and/or take their medication. Therefore, will only go seek medical attention in an emergency situation. Low literacy can also be a struggle in this community, this can cause distress if they cannot read the instructions or able to truly understand their well-being. The need for health promotion is at a critical high and needs to be

African Americans need the education so they can make an effort in controlling their disease or prevent one. It is particularly important to establish a trusting relationship.
When thinking about health promotion this is planned out into three levels of prevention primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary prevention goals are preventing disease or injury before it ever occurs. Example would be education, safe habits, and immunizations against infectious disease, Secondary prevention is to reduce the impact of the disease that has already occurred. A good example is a low dose aspirin every day to prevent another heart attack they have already had. Tertiary prevention is to soften the impact of ongoing illness. Support groups are good ways to continue the education regarding the disease, or rehab when a stroke for example has occurred and the patient is trying to get back to a normal day of living. When it comes to the African American minority secondary prevention is the most important prevention to occur and the most effective approach. African Americans have a sense of community and a high set of family values so having the community come together with free fairs, or free medical clinics will