Why Are Black People Losing Limbs More Often?
Now more than ever, Blacks and African Americans are losing lower extremity limbs. In recent years, there has been a stark difference in the amputation rates in Black and white communities. Much of the difference has been attributed to the numerous health disparities affecting African Americans more than their white counterparts. The lower limb amputation scourge has devastating health and social impact, particularly on Black and African American communities. So, what reasons can be cited for the increased amputation rates among Black and African American people?
Lack of Access to Quality Health Care
The healthcare system in the U.S. has been plagued with inequalities that disproportionately affect the Black and African American communities. These inequalities widen the gaps in uneven access to quality health care and poorer patient outcomes among Black communities.
Particularly, wound care and treatment among patients in these communities has been a concerning issue. Black and African American people living with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease are at an increased risk of having their lower limbs amputated compared to white patients.
With access to quality health care, it is possible to detect and treat such diseases before progression to the advanced stage. These diseases are the leading causes of limb amputations in the U.S, and their prevalence in African Americans communities explains the high amputation rates in these communities.
Inadequate Physical Exercise and Mobility
While Black and African American people are now living longer, they are still less physically active compared to other ethnic groups. Inadequate physical activity among Black communities is a concerning issue as it has been recognized as a chief cause of mobility problems and early mortality. Further, the lack of adequate physical exercise has been linked with diseases such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.
Physical exercise and mobility also help protect individuals against the risk factors of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, obesity, and overweight. In African American communities, social norms and values often get in the way of living a physically active life. What’s more, socioeconomic status plays a significant part when it comes to determining how physically active African American people are.
By adopting various forms of physical exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, running, or swimming, African Americans can live healthier lives. This, in extension, would mean fewer lower limb amputations as physical activity helps prevent chronic conditions and risk factors.
Highly Processed Foods in Diet
There’s no doubt that a healthy diet is crucial to a healthy life. Poor nutrition and consumption of highly processed food are leading causes of diet-related chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and stroke. Most of these diseases are directly linked to premature death, with CVD and diabetes being risk factors for lower limb amputation.
Originally, Blacks ate a diet that met the nutritional requirements for fat, fiber, fruits, and vegetables. However, there has been a worrying dietary shift among African American communities. In these communities, “Southern food” has become a staple, meaning that more Black and African American people are consuming fried and highly processed foods.
Not only are these foods lacking in nutritional value but are more likely to cause conditions that are risk factors for limb amputation. As a combative measure, Black and African American people should be sensitized to the benefits of integrating fruits and vegetables in their diet for a healthy life. In his book, 5 Colors to a Day to Better Health, Dr. Bill Releford, D.P.M, emphasizes the need to eat the God-given colorful fruits and vegetables for their nutritional and healing benefits.
Fewer Avenues for Promoting Health Awareness
African Americans are less exposed to medical and health-related information due to social norms or social status. What’s more, there are fewer avenues for educating Black people on issues relating to their health. Government agencies and community-based groups aren’t doing enough to ensure that African Americans understand the causes of limb amputations and the best preventive measures.
Black physicians and other players in the healthcare sector have now intensified the fight against lower limb amputation in Black communities. Dr. Bill Releford, Medical Director and CEO at the Releford Foot and Ankle Institute, also created The Black Barbershop, a medical outreach service. Through this program, more than 30,000 Black men have been screened for CVD and prostate cancer.
Creating more avenues for promoting health awareness among Black communities and assessing their effectiveness will have a positive impact on the battle against limb amputation.
Lack of Black Physicians in the Healthcare System
The health disparities in the American healthcare sector are also evident in the number of active Black physicians in the country. Only 5% of all active physicians in the U.S. identify as Black or African American – proof that Black and American communities are massively underserved. These numbers are even more perturbing considering that Black physicians have been found to achieve more favorable outcomes with Black patients.
Closing the education gap and encouraging medical careers among Black students is a significant intervention in reducing the lower limb amputation rates among Black and African American communities. With Black physicians, Black patients are more likely to be open to engagement, which is key to achieving preventive interventions.
Leveraging Technology for Amputation Prevention
The Wound Docs is a nationwide network of Black Physicians, podiatrists, vascular surgeons, and wound care specialists dedicated to lowering amputation rates among Black and African American communities. Through the power of AI and advanced biologics (skin substitutes), The Wound Docs is significantly contributing towards improving outcomes in wound care among Black and African American patients.
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