Viewing posts for the category General Health Topics
Preventive Medicine and Screenings
The health of African-Americans has improved over the last thirty years. The life expectancy of African American women has increased from 68 to 74 years. Many factors have helped improve our health such as regular medical care, exercise, a healthy diet, and timely screening tests.
This article will focus on preventive interventions- screening tests, counseling interventions and immunizations as recommended by the United States Preventative Services Task Force. The importance of these recommendations has lead to a decline in previously common and debilitating conditions, such as polio, as well as a substantial reduction in illness/disease and death.
These summaries of recommendations are followed by your physician, and are recommended for adults (men and women). We need to be aware of these health screens to make sure we are properly screened in order to ensure a healthier future for ourselves and our families.
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Disease |
Screening Test |
When/How Often |
Comments |
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High Blood Pressure |
Blood Pressure Check |
Age> 21 Check every 1-2 years |
High blood pressure contributes to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Heart disease remains the greatest killer of African American women. The death rate for stroke is 34% higher for Black females than White females. |
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High Cholesterol |
Cholesterol level -HDL -LDL |
-Men 35-65 years old; -Women 45-65 years old. -Screening should be every 5 years. |
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Breast Cancer |
-Self Breast Exam -Physician breast exam -Mammogram |
-monthly, same time each month -annually (age 40+) -every 1-2 years (ages 50-69); continue every 1-3 years if appropriate |
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Cervical Cancer |
Pap smear |
Annually until 3 negative exams, then every 2-3 years. |
May decrease frequency or discontinue after ages 65-69. |
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Colon Cancer |
-Stool occult blood test -Sigmoidoscopy |
-Annually after age 50 -Every 3-5 years after age 50 |
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Diabetes |
Glucose (sugar) level in blood |
Periodically in high risk. |
One out of every four black women over the age of 55 suffers from diabetes. Diet, exercise, weight loss and medications can control diabetes. |
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Obesity |
height/weight |
Annually |
Approximately 60% of African American women are overweight. Obesity contributes to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, depression endometrial, breast, and prostate cancers. |
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Glaucoma |
Eye exam by ophthalmologist |
Periodically after age 65 |
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Prostate Cancer screening (men) |
-PSA blood test -Rectal exam |
Annually after age 50. |
However, African American men have the highest risk of prostate CA, and therefore should be screened earlier. |
Immunizations/Vaccinations:
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Immunization/Vaccine |
When/How Often |
Comments |
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Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine |
Booster every 10 years |
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Influenza vaccine (flu shot) |
Annually for >65years. |
Now almost universally recommended for everyone. |
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Pneumovax (Pneumonia shot) |
Once for persons >65 years |
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Based on recommendation by physician. |
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Estrogen/Progesterone |
Post-menopausal women. Decreases risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Not recommended for all women, recommendation based on discussion with your doctor. |
Reference:
Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. Report of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
