Who will? Call somebody in the family! Have a blessed day!

I LOVE EVERY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY AND WANT YOU TO STAY ALIVE AND HEALTHY AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. However, statistics show that in practically every type of illness and preventable death (except suicide), blacks suffer and die younger, faster and at higher rates than most other ethnic groups or races in the United States. I would like to take this time to point out a few of the diseases that are the largest causes of death amongst African Americans and hopefully shed some light on how take better care of ourselves.

There are at least six diseases that effect Blacks in unproportionate numbers- diabetes, AIDS, liver disease, prostate cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer.

Currently, the percent of blacks in the population and the percent of new adult cases of diabetes that are Blacks is about even, 13% and 13%. But there has been a steady trend showing that the number of new cases of diabetes attributed to blacks is increasing. In the next ten years it is predicted that we will make up almost 20 of the new cases while our percentage in the population remains the same.

A similar trend is being noticed amongst new AIDS cases. Currently we contribute 42% of the new cases reported each year. It is predicted that we will make up over 55% of all new cases ten years. Again, our percentage in the population will remain at only 13%.

U.S. Black men have the highest reported prostate cancer rates in the world, averaging 230 new cases per 100,000 each year.

Black women are less likely to get breast cancer than white women, but are more likely to die from it. Per 100,000 women, there are 101 new cases a year for Blacks and 32 deaths. For whites there are 115 new cases and 26 deaths.

Finally, per 100,000 women, the new cases of Black women with cervical cancer are 13. For whites it is only 9.

die from a treatable illness than whites and can on average expect to live 7 years less.

The variances in all of these statistics between Blacks and whites can be contributed to numerous factors. Some of them, such as social status or economic background, we have little or no control over. But other factors are very much in our control. In fact there are five very simple steps that each of us can take to make sure we do not become a statistic.

1. Eat better. This doesn’t mean you have to go on a diet or become a vegan. Just alter your eating habits a little. Put a little less mayo on your sandwich. Grill more instead of frying. Eat a little less at each meal.
2. Avoid bad habits. Smoking is bad for your health and those around you. It says it right there on the pack. Excessive use of alcohol and other drugs is dangerous. Promiscuous and unprotected sex are easy ways of catching a number of diseases. Do not engage in any of these activities. If you already do, try to stop.
3. Exercise regularly. Though a 45 minute nice cardiovascular workout is what doctors suggest, walking a mile or so three times a week can have a major impact on your heart rate, blood flow, lung capacity and digestive track. So peruse your local park or mall more often. In fact, doctors say just stretching for 15 minutes (perhaps while sitting in front of the TV) improves blood circulation.
4. Visit our doctor regularly. This is the best way to catch any cancer at an early enough stage to prevent it from being fatal. An annual prostate check-up or pap smear increases your chances of surviving prostate or cervical cancer by 100%.
5. Educate ourselves and the ones we love. Learn how to give yourself a breast exam. Learn the symptoms and early signs of diabetes. Find out if there is a history in your immediate bloodline for certain diseases. Pass this knowledge on to your children and spouse.

Again, I love all of you. I need you to be here for as long as possible. Take care of yourselves- if not for you, then do it for me.