April 1, 2024

Dr. Mike's Top of Mind

April has been officially designated by the Department of Human Services as National Minority Health but this is no cause for celebration. This month serves as a crucial opportunity to deeply analyze and review the health status of Black Americans in the United States. From the cradle to the grave, it is an undeniable fact that Black Americans face more severe health challenges and are more likely to suffer and die from chronic diseases than individuals from any other ethnic group. How are we doing on our march toward health equity?

According to sources like Pfizer, Pew Research, NCBI, and the CDC, African Americans are at higher risk for health conditions such as heart diseases, stroke, cancer, asthma, and diabetes, among others. They also face more illness, infirmity, and early death compared to white individuals. Add the effects of racism and social health determinants, and you have your answer.

Don’t expect any changes in the system soon. That makes it all the more important that you decide to keep you and your family safe, by using a good diet, exercise, and regular visits to the doctor. For more information on how to make this happen, go to our website at https://aawellnessproject.org/ and listen to our podcast or visit Black Doctor Speak on any podcast channel.

Stay Healthy,

Dr. Mike

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This Week

And Black America

• Discrimination in the United States: Experiences of Black Americans
• Upward Economic Mobility Does Little for Black Mental Health
• Vitamin D and Calcium Reduces Your Risk of Certain Types of Cancer
• How to Deal with Allergies this Pollen Season
• Question of the Day: How Common is Eczema in Black Children?

A groundbreaking study sheds light on a troubling trend: a staggering 32% of Black individuals have encountered discrimination in healthcare settings, while 22% hesitate to seek medical care due to fears of facing prejudice. This alarming data highlights the urgent need for change.

Why This Is Important: This study reveals widespread discrimination against black Americans, showing how bias sneaks into everything from healthcare to law enforcement. It highlights the huge gap between the experiences of black and white Americans, really shining a light on how deep this systemic discrimination goes. It's a loud wake-up call for institutions to step up their game, tackle racism head-on, and work harder to close these gaps.

This study sheds light on the mental health toll of climbing the social ladder, revealing that everyday injustices may dilute the benefits of higher socioeconomic status. It's a stark reminder that achieving health equity requires tackling the roots of racism head-on. Using a nationwide panel from Qualtrics, researchers zeroed in on individuals who self-identified as Black or African American, were at least 24 years old, and held a bachelor's degree or higher.

The findings were eye-opening: experiences of racism and unfair treatment were closely linked to poorer mental health. This suggests that the mental scars of contemporary racism deepen depressive symptoms among educated Black Americans.

In a groundbreaking study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers tracked over 36,280 postmenopausal women for about seven years. These women were randomly chosen to either receive vitamin D and calcium supplements or a placebo, unknowingly. The results were intriguing.

After 22 years, a retrospective analysis revealed a 7% decrease in cancer-related deaths among supplement users, with even more striking reductions of 19% in invasive breast cancer and 31% in colorectal cancer. These results underscore the potential life-saving benefits of certain supplements, after carefully weighing their pros and cons.

Why Is This Important: Black people have the highest rates of Vitamin D deficiency in the United States. So Get your Vitamin D levels checked.

Ah, pollen season has rolled around once again, and there's hardly cause for celebration. For those in the bay area, brace yourselves; grass and pollen reigns supreme. The timing of pollen season varies by location, but in California, it kicks off in January or early February when the trees start their pollination sequence. Initially, it's all about tree pollen until April rolls in, and then grass takes the stage, spreading its pollen as the country gradually warms up. For folks in the East and South, ragweed presents a similar challenge but for those battling allergies, here's how you can gear up:

• Stock up on medications. Thankfully, there are excellent over-the-counter options, including non-sedating antihistamines and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays.
• Keep an eye on local pollen count reports – they're your best guide to planning outdoor activities when pollen levels soar.
• Tighten your control over house dust and make an effort to keep your pets clean over the coming months to minimize pollen hitching a ride indoors.
• If you've paused your long-term allergy immunotherapy (aka allergy shots), now's the perfect time to get back on track.

I'm not one to advocate for hiding indoors during pollen season – Spring has too much beauty and joy to offer. By taking the steps listed above, you can enjoy most days to the fullest, even during pollen season.

Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, disproportionately affects Black Americans compared to white Americans. Eczema is more common among Black children in the United States.  It often begins in infancy and can be triggered by allergens and foods. To often it is associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Minor cases can be managed by keeping the skin well lubricated and using steroid creams. Often the skin gets infected and antibiotics may be necessary. Now there are new medications called biologics that can be used to treat difficult cases.

Join the Allergy & Asthma Network's virtual conference, "Black People Like Me," focusing on overcoming care disparities for Black individuals with eczema.

Free Virtual Conference: April 9, 2024 | 5:30 PM ET

Register Now!

Discover in this virtual event:

• How eczema appears on different skin tones.
• Diagnosis and treatment of eczema.
• Tips for discussing eczema with your doctor.
• Insights from someone with eczema on its impact on mental health.
• Opportunity to ask speakers questions live.

CE is not available for this event.

For more information, go to our website at www.aawellnessproject.org. or listen to our podcast at Blackdoctorsspeak.org on any podcast platform.

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DR. MIKE'S ETHNIC HEALTH REPORT