Black Health and the Affordable Care Act
Despite the fact that blacks enjoy the highest life expectancy in the United States, they are also susceptible to many diseases. For example, people of African descent are disproportionately affected by heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. In addition, blacks are also at risk for other illnesses such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and AIDS.
Life expectancy at birth
Using data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) researchers evaluated life expectancy trends by race and gender. These results provide a unique granular view of life expectancy in the United States. They add to the evidence that COVID-19 disproportionately affects the Latino and Black populations.
The results are clear: life expectancy for Black populations has fallen to its lowest level in 15 years. However, life expectancy among White and Latino populations increased.
Among Black males, life expectancy remained relatively stagnant over the past decade. Life expectancy among white males grew by nearly half a year. However, life expectancy for Black females declined. This trend slowed in 2013.
Although the results show the racial disparities are worse than they used to be, the results also suggest that progress continues. The authors of the study call for further study. They also highlight the need for local-level data that can support targeted efforts to address racial health disparities.
Overall, the study provides an accurate assessment of the trends in life expectancy across racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. However, there are important differences among the racial and ethnic groups, particularly in terms of health care quality.
While there are many reasons for the disparities, the study highlights several factors. Researchers have identified several specific diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, that contribute to life expectancy differences. Other studies have looked at factors such as healthcare quality and psychosocial factors.
Sickle cell disease
Among the hundreds of diseases and conditions that affect people worldwide, sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder. It is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that are stiff and hard. These red blood cells cannot change shape easily, so they clog the blood vessels and reduce blood flow throughout the body.
Sickle cell disease is more common among people with African American or Caribbean ancestry than people of other races. In fact, about 1 in every 500 African Americans has sickle cell disease. The disease also affects people of Spanish or Latin American descent.
People with sickle cell have a higher risk of infections, kidney failure, and heart failure. In addition, they have a higher risk of suffering a stroke. In addition, people with sickle cell have a higher risk of having a second stroke. In severe cases, the sickle cell can even cause brain damage.
People with sickle cell disease have abnormal hemoglobin in their blood, which causes red blood cells to become stiff. These cells can clog the blood vessels and cause problems with organs like the heart and kidneys. In addition, sickle cells can cause pain and other complications. People with sickle cell disease may also experience painful erections.
Sickle cell disease affects millions of people worldwide. It is particularly common in areas of sub-Saharan Africa and India. It is also common in regions that have malaria.
Poisoning
Several recent studies have shown that black people are at an increased risk of being exposed to toxic chemicals. Some of the studies found that black children were more likely to have elevated blood lead levels than their white counterparts.
The study cited the top three things that contribute to this increased risk. These include, but are not limited to, being black, having bad housing or school environment, and poor nutrition. Combined, these three factors account for a large portion of the problem.
The most notable is the fact that African-American children were found to have a much higher blood lead level than white children. The risk is not entirely mitigated by the aforementioned measures, however. The study also found that poorer children were more likely to have elevated lead levels than those in more affluent neighborhoods.
As a result, the best way to reduce this risk is to provide better housing and educational opportunities to the millions of children residing in these communities. In fact, the CDC estimates that 2.6 million children in the United States will be at risk of lead poisoning in the year 2020. In addition, these children are at risk of learning behavior problems and/or becoming ADHD. In addition, black families are less likely to have health insurance, a personal physician, or access to an emergency room. In addition, a “color blind” health policy has exacerbated the problem.
Cirrhosis of the liver
Unless you get treatment early, cirrhosis of the liver can lead to a life-threatening condition. Cirrhosis is a disease that affects the liver and kidneys. The symptoms vary depending on the stage of cirrhosis. It can affect how the liver filters blood, drugs, and other toxins. It can also cause internal bleeding and kidney failure.
Cirrhosis of the liver occurs when the liver is damaged and scar tissue forms. The scar tissue blocks blood from flowing through the liver. It also slows down the liver’s ability to produce and extract bile. The liver then cannot process nutrients and waste products. It also causes the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
Cirrhosis of the liver can cause problems in your brain. In cirrhosis, the liver cannot remove ammonia from the blood. If this happens, the ammonia can build up in your intestines and cause damage to your brain.
Other symptoms of cirrhosis include itchy skin and fluid in the abdomen. This fluid may be bright red or black like coffee grounds. Cirrhosis of the liver can be treated with medication or a shunt to redirect the blood.
The liver is a major organ in the body. It is responsible for producing bile pigment. It also recycles bile salts. If you have cirrhosis, you may have difficulty digesting fats. You may also have an enlarged spleen.
Cirrhosis of the liver is a progressive disease that can take years to develop. You should consult your doctor as soon as possible if you are experiencing symptoms.
Out-of-pocket cost of care
Despite the fact that the Affordable Care Act is responsible for reducing the number of uninsured Americans, high out-of-pocket costs continue to be a debilitating obstacle to healthy living. This is particularly true for low-income families. They must choose between paying for food and rent or paying for a health care bill. Despite the government’s efforts, the ACA has not done enough to protect Americans from rising out-of-pocket costs.
The Affordable Care Act is credited with the creation of health insurance marketplaces, but a recent investigation by Kaiser Health News found that many Americans are not only saddled with high out-of-pocket costs but aren’t getting the full benefits of the program. For example, half of the respondents surveyed wouldn’t be able to cover a $1000 medical bill in 30 days. In fact, a recent study by the Commonwealth Fund found that low-income individuals are particularly averse to using medical services.
There are a number of reasons for this. For example, the government ties health care to labor, and employers are apt to dispense with health insurance plans if the workers can’t afford to pay the premiums. This reinforces the centrality of profit over well-being. In addition, low-wage essential workers often work in jobs that don’t offer paid sick leave or fringe benefits, resulting in chronic underinsured status.
The best way to remedy this situation is to make health care a more affordable and accessible option for all Americans. One way to do this is to expand the reach of Medicaid, the government program designed to cover low-income individuals with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level. The government estimates that 3.7 million more people could be covered by expanding Medicaid.
Barriers in the health care system
Historically, the Black community has been subjected to mistreatment and discrimination, and the healthcare system has been a major contributor. This has resulted in the creation of barriers to health care. These barriers vary from structural to interpersonal.
Structural barriers, like the lack of medical specialties in rural areas, require patients to travel long distances for treatments. They also affect mental health and physical health outcomes. For instance, African American patients are less likely to receive antidepressant therapy than their white counterparts.
A study based on interviews with African Americans, providers, and lay community members revealed barriers in three areas: social/environmental, structural, and interpersonal. The study focused on barriers related to healthcare access and utilization.
Social/environmental barriers include poverty, income inequality, and housing. They also include a lack of access to healthy foods, outdoor space, and community resources. Similarly, lack of insurance and home ownership restrict access to health care. However, the healthcare system often ignores the physical and emotional tolls of substandard housing and schools.
Structural barriers, like the lack of medical specialties in rural areas, also affect mental health and physical health outcomes. In a study of rural West Virginia, healthcare providers and older adults reported similar barriers. The report suggested similar barriers may also exist in other rural contexts.
The study also found that racism is a common barrier to health care. It may be a function of providers’ own status as people of color. The report recommends a way forward in addressing the social impacts of racism.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
