Obesity, a Major Health Issue for African American Women
The epidemic of obesity, a major health issue in the African American community is occurring among black women between the ages of 20 and 39. Recently, medical literature has revealed that 57% of black women in this age group are obese. This issue has to be...
Holiday Illnesses
During the Christmas season, overindulgence of alcoholic beverages is possible. These drinks can wreak havoc on your health and can cause a trip to the ER, result in being admitted to the hospital, and possibly death. The intake of excessive alcohol can cause...
We are 15 years old!
Closing the gap in health care for African Americans and the underserved (CTGIHC) is 15 years old! Fifteen years ago the idea of CTCIHC was born and we became a 501c3 organization. When I pitched the idea to others, it received minimal enthusiasm. Happy to say...
Changing Social Determinants Can Stop Strokes
It is well documented that the social determinants of health play a major role in the health outcome of African Americans and the underserved. Recently, I witnessed this with a young, African American woman, who at age 33, had experienced a massive stroke that...
Move Every Day
It is a heartbreaking experience to see someone, you love, with dementia. I have seen, as a physician, this phenomenon occurs among many patients and recently, personal friends. I am not convinced that black people understand, in many cases, vascular dementia...
You Love Medicine if You Love Life
It is not unusual for some African Americans to fail to seek medical care in a timely fashion, even when needed. Some people continue not to believe in modern medicine and do not get appropriate screening for cancer, take medications as directed, get...
Family Medical History Has New Meaning
Several days ago, one of my loyal patients requested to be seen, urgently, because she was upset that family members would not reveal the cause of death of a middle age family member. A lifelong friend who is battling four different types of cancer told me...
Stress Is Deadly
The medical literature has documented a plethora of information regarding deadly stress affecting our bodies. Many of my patients are telling me about the perils of stress and how it affects their health with headaches, diarrhea, and fatigue. Stress affects...