Various health conditions affect people of all races and ethnicities worldwide. However, some, such as non-communicable diseases are more prevalent among certain racial groups.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also called chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors.
WHO highlights that the main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes, stating that they disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries.
According to an article by Families USA, the lethal quartet including cancer, diabetes, lung disease, and heart disease is especially harmful in some communities of color, noting that Blacks and Latinos are at a higher risk, and suffering negative outcomes.
While this is evident in the United States, Caribbean countries such as Jamaica also face these life-threatening health issues.
Jamaican General Practitioner, Dr. Tameka Irons notes that cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, and high cholesterol, are among the significant public health concerns.
While she acknowledges that anyone can be affected, she believes Black people are among the most vulnerable, adding that these are conditions she treats daily in Jamaica.
“You would be surprised to know the significant burden that we actually do have in the Caribbean, even here in Jamaica,” Irons said.
“The issue with diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol is that they can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems,” she added.
Irons further pointed out that while the elderly are more likely to be affected, young people have also shown indications that may lead to chronic diseases.
“There is a reason why everybody’s blood pressure is tested regardless of their age. We have young patients, like the age of 20 and below who present with elevated blood pressure. It is by far more common in persons who are older, above the age of 30 and onwards, but it does occur in patients below this age,” she said.
On the other hand, Jamaican Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Racquel Gordon- Adlam, noted that older people, women over 60, and men over 50 usually present with signs of heart disease.
She noted that while Indian and Asian populations have a high risk of developing coronary artery disease, Blacks remain one of the populations also likely to suffer from its detrimental effects.
According to an article by the UT Southwestern Medical Center, some studies suggest that African Americans are particularly sensitive to salt, which can lead to high blood pressure, one of the causes of heart disease.
While chronic diseases can be developed based on one’s lifestyle, Dr. Gordon-Adlam said genetics can increase a person’s risk.
“There is a genetic risk factor for developing not just hypertension, but diabetes and high cholesterol. You have people who are genetically predisposed to having high cholesterol,” she said.
The article also highlighted that developing chronic diseases is often influenced by socioeconomic status, education, environment, stress levels, culture, and history. It further cited research that revealed that many people in the African American community, mainly older individuals, believe heavier weight is a healthier weight. The beliefs which stem from the cultural and historical background of many Blacks have contributed to certain practices, increasing the development of chronic diseases.
While NCDs are preventable and treatable, an article by Families USA highlighted that members of Black and Latino communities in the U.S. are mostly affected because they are likely to be uninsured and unable to afford the medical care they need.
Dr. Gordon-Adlam also agrees social and economic factors greatly contribute to the number of cases affecting Black communities.
“Some people tend to be in underserved areas where access to care is a problem. Sometimes the fact that they can’t afford the medications they’re given or sometimes getting the right medication is a challenge,” she said.
“Not a lot of them are employed and the access to care can depend on if they are employed and are able to get the medication,” she added.
While lack of access to healthcare contributes to unmanaged chronic illnesses, Dr. Irons and Dr. Gordon-Adlam strongly recommend lifestyle modifications to reduce one’s risk.
In addition to quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, they advise that people, specifically those of the Black community make dietary modifications by eating more fruits and vegetables, eating less salt, sugar, and fatty foods, and incorporating daily exercise.
