Keeping track of your health is easier when you know more about it. It’s important to understand why some health problems affect some people more than others. This may be due to factors like health education and awareness, financial situations and the environment they live in.
Understanding the way our heritage, race and other traits affect our health is important. It can also help your doctor figure out ways to prevent issues before they start. The key is to find the right treatments, if you're at risk, and come up with a plan.
Let’s explore how some diseases affect us differently.
- Diabetes is a growing issue. It happens when your body has trouble controlling the sugar in your blood. It happens a lot more to African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Native American and Asian American adults. Many things can cause diabetes. Family history, lifestyle and social factors are all reasons. To address this, it's important to eat healthy, have access to good food and get help from doctors who understand your culture. At Aetna®, we help doctors understand these risks so they can help you better. This helps us engage our members in programs that meet their needs.
- High blood pressure is when your heart works too hard. It can lead to serious problems. Heart attacks and strokes are some of these issues. African American adults have some of the highest rates of high blood pressure. Historical and social factors play a major role in this data. Some examples include lack of access to care and healthy foods. Distrust of health care professionals based on historical discrimination is also a major reason.
There are ways to lower your blood pressure. Eating healthier, exercising and managing stress can help you. If you feel you’re at risk, contact your doctor. We offer health screenings to get you on track to a healthier life. - Obesity is a major problem in the United States. Obesity rates are higher among African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans and Native Americans. Food insecurity, limited access to healthy foods and environment all contribute to this problem. Socioeconomic reasons and cultural norms also play a role in shaping food and physical habits. There is good news, though. There are many substitutes to make cultural meals a bit healthier.
Creating a better lifestyle takes time, but it is possible. Limit unhealthy options. Make simple meal changes. Try alternatives, too. Switch soda for sparkling water. Small changes can make a major impact.
And don’t forget to exercise! Make it a goal to exercise each day. Start with 15 minutes at first. The key is to make it a daily habit. - Some kinds of cancer develop more among certain groups. Prostate cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer are examples. There are many reasons why this happens. Not everyone has the same access to doctors and screenings. Some people also don't know much about cancer. This impacts the stage at diagnosis and survival rates. Cultural beliefs about cancer also play a factor. Remember to ask questions. It's important to be open with your doctor. If something doesn’t align with your culture, say something.
Get annual check-ups, too. Understanding your body through this journey of life is part of the process. Yes, cancer is scary, but knowledge is power. Be informed so that you can maintain your health.
Aetna Better Health® of Illinois offers preventive services and promote cancer education. We host Pamper Me Pink events during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At these events, we offer breast cancer screenings and awareness education. We also provide community and well-being resources and free giveaways.
Understanding these diseases is just one tool to staying healthy. We’re also here to keep you informed and maintain your health. Call Member Services at 1-866-329-4701 (TTY:711) to:
- Get help with questions
- Schedule an appointment
- Arrange a ride to the doctor or pharmacy