April - Minority Health Awareness Month
April is Minority Health Awareness month, a time to identify health issues that affect minority and under-served populations. Informed prevention, early detection, and treatment efforts can help reduce health disparities by promoting educational efforts on the health problems currently facing minorities and other under-served populations. Unfortunately, many racial and ethnic minority populations can’t make healthy choices because of factors like where they live, their race or ethnicity, their education, their physical or mental abilities, or their income. As a result of these health disparities, they experience higher rates of diabetes, adverse mental health outcomes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, heart disease, cancer and preterm birth. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for minorities, in the United States and can affect adults at any age. Women are more likely than men to have "silent" heart disease, meaning women's symptoms may be different and can be harder to diagnose. Living a healthy lifestyle, like keeping a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, can help reduce preventable cancer deaths. Physical activity and proper nutrition are two of the best things all people can do to improve their health. Physical Activity reduces pain and improves function among adults with arthritis. It reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, mortality and recurrent breast cancer risk. It lowers stroke risk and colon cancer risk. Has been shown to decrease depression as effectively as certain medications and behavioral therapies. Access to affordable nutritious food are associated with decreased risk for multiple chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, mental health disorders and other chronic diseases. The DASH diet aims to reduce intake of processed food and sodium, typically ranging from 1500 to 2300 mg/day, and promotes healthier alternatives such as vegetables, nuts and whole grains. This dietary approach is effective in reducing blood pressure due to the essential nutrients which include potassium, calcium and magnesium. Cancer is the second leading cause of death for minorities and under-served populations. Cancer Screening tests recommended for ages 21 to 65 and older are colon, lung, breast and prostate. Cervical screening should begin at age 25. The Arkansas Department of Health offers free breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings along with follow-up services. Call to schedule yours at 1-833-693-2942.
Free health screenings will be offered April 6 from 8:00am to 3:00pm at the following barber and beauty shops in Pulaski
County:
- AR College of Barbering & Hair Design, Little Rock
- AR College of Barbering & Hair Design, North Little Rock
- Erick’s Barber Shop, Little Rock
- Fresh & Tight Styles, Little Rock
- GoodFellas Barber College, Little Rock
- New Image Salon, Little Rock
- New Tyler Barber College, North Little Rock
- Velvatex College of Beauty Culture, Little Rock
By addressing barriers and implementing effective educational programs, government health organizations can empower minorities and other under-served populations with the knowledge to make informed choices, reduce health risks, and lead healthier lives.
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/health-equity/equity.htm;
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/news/detail/free-health-screenings-offered-april-6-at-participating-barber-
beauty-shops; www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/dash-eating-plan https://healthliteracy.uams.edu/for-patients/online-health-information/