Famous Faces in Health
This famous African American tennis superstar has been open about her life-threatening blood clots after childbirth, helping raise awareness about Black maternal health.
Who is Serena Williams?
Doctors recommend drinking this many glasses of this calorie-free beverage every day to stay hydrated, help kidneys function, and manage blood pressure.
What is 8 glasses of water?
This chronic condition, extremely common in African American and Hispanic communities, causes the body to not properly use or produce insulin and requires monitoring blood sugar daily.
What is diabetes?
Instead of frying chicken, this healthier cooking method using hot circulating air gives you a crispy result with far less oil and fat and is easy for seniors to use at home.
What is air frying?
True or False
High blood pressure always makes you feel dizzy or gives you a headache, so if you feel fine, you don’t need to check it.
FALSE
High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because it usually has NO symptoms at all.
This beloved African American actor, known for playing Black Panther, quietly battled colon cancer for four years before passing away in 2020, bringing attention to colorectal cancer in Black men.
Who is Chadwick Boseman?
This simple daily habit, recommended by every doctor, involves lacing up your shoes and moving your body for at least 30 minutes and is one of the best things seniors can do to manage diabetes and heart disease.
What is walking (exercise)?
African Americans are more likely to develop this condition where the kidneys slowly stop working over time, often as a complication of diabetes and high blood pressure.
What is kidney disease?
When cooking traditional greens like collards or mustard greens, swapping out fatback or ham hocks for this smoked seasoning can cut down on sodium and saturated fat while keeping great flavor.
What is smoked turkey (accept liquid smoke or low-sodium seasoning)?
True or False
Diabetes only affects people who eat a lot of sugar. If you don’t eat sweets, you cannot get diabetes.
FALSE
Diabetes is caused by many factors including genetics, weight, inactivity, and diet overall!
NOT just sugar!
This former First Lady, an African American woman, has been a major public advocate for healthy eating and physical activity in minority communities through her “Let’s Move” campaign.
Who is Michelle Obama?
This number, when measured at a doctor’s visit, tells you how hard your heart is working and is especially important for African Americans who develop high readings at higher rates than other groups.
What is blood pressure?
This mental health condition, which causes persistent sadness, low energy, and loss of interest in life, is often undertreated in minority communities due to stigma but is very common among seniors.
What is depression?
This simple swap replacing white rice with this grain that has more fiber can help seniors manage blood sugar, especially important in communities with high diabetes rates.
What is brown rice?
True or False
Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are a sign of weakness and are not real medical conditions.
FALSE
Depression and anxiety are real medical conditions caused by brain chemistry and life circumstances, just like heart disease or diabetes.
This legendary African American boxer who “floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee” was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984 and became one of its most visible advocates worldwide.
Who is Muhammad Ali?
Doctors recommend eating more of this COLOR of fruits and vegetables. They are packed with nutrients that support heart health and reduce cancer risk.
What is green?
Hispanic Americans have higher rates of this condition affecting the liver, often linked to obesity and diabetes, where fat builds up and can cause serious damage over time.
What is fatty liver disease?
Many traditional Hispanic and African American recipes call for a lot of this white granular ingredient that raises blood pressure. Doctors recommend using herbs and spices as a flavorful substitute.
What is salt (sodium)?
True or False
Once you start taking blood pressure or diabetes medication, you can stop taking it once your numbers look normal because that means you are cured.
FALSE
Your numbers look normal BECAUSE of the medication. Stopping without a doctor’s guidance can be very dangerous.
This Grammy-winning African American singer publicly shared her Type 2 diabetes diagnosis in 2013, encouraging her fan base to make healthier lifestyle changes and raising awareness in the Black community
Who is Patti LaBelle?
This type of fat, found in fried foods and fast food, raises bad cholesterol and is especially harmful for Hispanic and African American communities who already face higher rates of heart disease.
What is saturated fat (accept trans fat)?
Native American and Alaska Native communities face significantly higher rates of this preventable disease, strongly linked to smoking, that affects the lungs and makes breathing increasingly difficult.
What is COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)?
This heart-healthy cooking oil, common in Mediterranean and Latino cooking, is a much better choice than butter or lard for frying and sautéing because it contains good monounsaturated fats.
What is olive oil?
True or False
Black and brown patients who report pain to their doctors are sometimes undertreated because of unconscious bias, and studies show this is a real and documented problem in healthcare.
TRUE
Research has confirmed this is a real disparity. Patients should always advocate for themselves and bring a trusted person to appointments if needed.