WVON

Early detection of disease and other health issues can be important in helping any patient live healthier, happier, and in some cases, longer. In fact, early detection can significantly increase the chances of survival for certain… diseases, including many forms of cancer. That is why experts recommend following a regular schedule for medical examinations and the appropriate screenings based on your demographics and risk factors. For women, taking control of their health and being proactive includes recommended preventive care and screening for conditions that are specific to them, such as those relating to reproductive and breast health. The reproductive health of women keeps changing over their lifetimes, and this is why it is important to get a feel for it regularly.

Pregnant people are, first and foremost, concerned with the health of their unborn child, and some have had reservations about getting the COVID-19 vaccine—only about a third of pregnant people are fully vaccinated. Pregnant people… have been hesitant to receive the vaccine due to limited information about vaccine safety. We are now 3 years into the pandemic, and protection provided by the vaccine is more important than ever. Because Omicron is so contagious, the typical measures we were taking before aren’t necessarily working. If you’re pregnant, it may now be harder to keep yourself from getting sick with COVID-19. Knowing that pregnant people infected with it appear to have a higher chance of preterm birth, vaccination is key to avoiding the various developmental issues that can accompany a baby born too soon. We also don’t know the long-term effects of COVID on babies if a parent passes the virus to their baby.

In the United States, 34.2 million adults have diabetes, and one in five of them do not know they have it. Diabetes is a leading cause of death in the United States and most common in people… from racial and ethnic minority groups. Unfortunately, access to care is a huge barrier within our Black communities. Additionally, being unable to afford quality medical care and prescription medications can be obstacles as well. Conditions not managed could be and subsequently result in poorer health. Being educated about the things you can change may help reduce your chance.

It has been two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been many people who deny the existence of COVID-19 and believe false information about what is happening. This misinformation/disinformation has impacted… the spread of COVID-19 as well as vaccine uptake in the U.S. COVID-19 mitigation strategies have also been impacted with different mandates and regulations depending on the area. Many efforts have been made over the course of the pandemic to take action against false information and the people who spread it, but the problem is immense and continues to get worse.

Prostate cancer takes a harsher toll on Black men than other men, including other men of color. In fact, Black men are 50% more likely to develop prostate cancer in their lifetime and twice as likely to… die from the disease. There are many factors that can increase the risk and worsen the outcome of prostate cancer — not just being of African descent. Disparities in outcomes also can be affected by differences in when the cancer is diagnosed and how the men are treated after diagnosis. Despite the increased risk of developing prostate cancer and dying from it, Black men are underrepresented in clinical trials that test new therapies.

The current COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the increased number of Black youth experiencing anxiety and depression. In addition, the rate of suicide among this group is increasing faster than any other racial or ethnic… group. Yet, they are less likely to seek treatment. Mental health is very stigmatized in our society. We are told not to prioritize our mental health because there is something wrong with asking for help. Although awareness about mental health is increasing, many Black youth still suffer from mental health issues and cannot access the resources necessary to help them. Delays in seeking care can lead to negative consequences, such as emergency psychiatric hospitalizations and also becoming adults with unaddressed mental health issues.

When you’re not at your healthiest, you can probably tell. You may simply feel “off.” You may find that you feel tired, your digestive system isn’t functioning as well as it normally does, and… you seem to catch colds. Mentally, you may find you can’t concentrate and feel anxious or depressed. The good news: a healthy lifestyle can help you feel better. Even better, you don’t have to make drastic changes to your entire life overnight. It’s pretty easy to make a couple of small changes that can steer you in the direction of improved well-being. And once you make one change, that success can motivate you to continue to make more positive shifts.

The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. Older unvaccinated adults are more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19. This is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that… adults 65 years and older receive COVID-19 vaccines. The risk increases for people in their 50s and increases in 60s, 70s, and 80s. People 85 and older are the most likely to get very sick. Nursing homes across the US reported nearly 1,800 COVID-19 deaths among residents and staff in August 2021, the highest number of COVID-19 deaths reported in a single month since February 2021 and a steady increase from the approximately 350 deaths reported in July 2021. Deaths due to COVID-19 increased at a faster rate in nursing homes than among all others in the community between July and August 2021. COVID-19 cases also increased more rapidly in nursing homes than in the community. Vaccines coupled with boosters can decrease the number of cases and deaths among the elderly.

Racial and ethnic inequities in the US healthcare system have been happening since the beginnings of this country. In the 19th and 20th centuries, segregated Black hospitals were representative of separate but unequal healthcare. Racism resulted… in hospitals refusing to desegregate despite the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 until they were forced to, under threat of losing federal funds from the newly enacted Medicaid and Medicare programs in 1966. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted long-standing, persistent inequities, with Black communities being at high risk of morbidity and mortality. Doctors take an oath to treat all patients equally, and yet not all patients are treated equally well. This has negative consequences for both patients and healthcare workers, leading to higher risks of illness and, in some cases, lower standards of care for Black people. In addition, discrimination and bias lead fewer Black people to enter the healthcare profession and affects the lives of those who do. Even when doctors disavow racism, medical professionals may still carry unconscious bias that they must actively resist.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women, as well as the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Although mortality rates have decreased as a result of medical and technological advancements, cancer… health disparities still exist. Breast imagery has helped with early detection of breast cancer, so women are able to receive effective treatments earlier.

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the country. This disease is ravaging the Black community. In fact, Black people are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from… it than most other groups. The reasons for the differences are complex, but they largely reflect differences in risk factors and in health care access, both of which are related to socioeconomic status. Because of these, colorectal cancer in Black men and women is less likely to be prevented or detected early by screening, when it’s most treatable. It’s as important as ever that everyone has access to and is receiving the recommended screenings. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, necessary screening tests remain available to prevent the disease or find it at an early, more treatable stage.

Every day, human services professionals in the public sector make complex policy decisions that affect citizens. They use insights collected from massive amounts of data to make strategic decisions. Data is a valuable source, not just… for scientific knowledge, but also for a community’s economic development, disaster planning and decision making. Community organizations become more data-driven when making decisions to fulfill their missions of improving their communities and furthering society. Involving communities in the research process can make better the way research is planned, carried out, and used. This approach also encourages recognition of the strengths of community institutions and individuals and encourages people and groups to build on those strengths.