Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health Marion E. Primas, Ph.D., M.S. Director, Healthy Aging Initiative Bureau of Primary Health Care Health Resources & Service Administration Department of Health & Human Services

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health What is the Health Status of Older Americans? Life Expectancy u Americans of all races are living longer. u Women are living longer than men across the races. u Medical Science and Rapidly Increasing Technology have contributed greatly to the Nation’s improved health status.

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health What are the Leading Causes of Death of Minorities? African Americans in 1998 WomenMen Heart DiseaseHeart Disease CancerCancer StrokeUnintentional Injuries Diabetes MellitisStroke Pneumonia/InfluenzaHomicide Unintentional InjuriesHIV/AIDS COPDDiabetes Mellitus

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health What are the Leading Causes of Death of Minorities? American Indian/Alaska Native in 1998 WomenMen Heart DiseaseHeart Disease CancerCancer Unintentional InjuriesUnintentional Injuries Diabetes MellitusDiabetes Mellitus StrokeLiver Disease/Cirrhosis Pneumonia/InfluenzaSuicide Liver Disease/CirrhosisCOPD

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health What are the Leading Causes of Death of Minorities? Asian/Pacific Islanders in 1998 WomenMen CancerHeart Disease Heart DiseaseCancer StrokeStroke Pneumonia/InfluenzaUnintentional Injuries Unintentional InjuriesPneumonia/Influenza Diabetes MellitusCOPD

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health What are the Leading Causes of Death of Minorities? Hispanic Americans in 1998 WomenMen Heart DiseaseHeart Disease CancerCancer StrokeUnintentional Injuries Diabetes MellitusStroke Unintentional InjuriesHomicide Pneumonia/InfluenzaDiabetes Mellitus

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health Chronic Health Conditions u ArthritisHeart Disease u HypertensionStroke u Diabetes MellitusOsteoporosis u AsthmaObesity u Chronic BronchitisEmphysema Physical Disabilities

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health What are some Behavioral Risk Factors for Poor Health? u Tobacco u Substance Abuse: Alcohol and Drugs u Overweight and obesity u Physical Activity u Nutrition u Unprotected Sex u Medication Exchanges u Lack of routine health care

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health Mental Health Problems Depression Disorders Alzheimer’s Disease Memory Impairment DementiaSchizophrenia Anxiety Disorders Post-Traumatic Disorders Suicide

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health Mental Health Problems Depression u Depression is becoming widespread undiagnosed problem among older persons. u Depression is often characterized by:. memory problems. confusion. social withdrawal. loss of appetite. inability to sleep. irritability u That Depression comes with age is untrue.

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health Mental Health Problems Depression (Cont’d) Depression (Cont’d) Treatments with older persons include: Antidepressant Medications Tricyclic Antidepressants Monamine Oxidase Inhibitors Serontonin Reuptake Inhibitors Psychotherapy Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Interpersonal Therapy Combination of Medication and Therapy

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health Research Goals to Reduce Health Disparities 1.Advance understanding of the development and progression of disease and disability that contributes to health disparities in association with genetics, environmental/socioeconomic status, mechanisms of disease, epidemiology and other risk factors, disease and disability. 2. Develop new or improved approaches for detecting and diagnosing the onset or progression of disease and disability.

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health Research Goals to Reduce Health Disparities 3.Develop new or improved approaches for preventing or delaying the onset or progression of disease and disability. 4.Develop new or improved approaches for treating disease and disability. (National Institute on Aging -- Strategic Plan )

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health What are some of the goals to attain Healthy Aging? Health Screening - Breast, Prostate, Colorectal etc Health Screening - Breast, Prostate, Colorectal etc Diet and Nutrition (healthy meals - i.e., calcium) Diet and Nutrition (healthy meals - i.e., calcium) Physical Exercise Physical Exercise Moderation of Alcohol Moderation of Alcohol Do not smoke Do not smoke Avoid accidents (at home, driving, etc.) Avoid accidents (at home, driving, etc.) Maintain positive attitudes about life & its problems Maintain positive attitudes about life & its problems Get immunizations for flu, etc. Get immunizations for flu, etc. Practice safe sex Practice safe sex

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health What are some of the goals to attain Healthy Aging? Spiritual enhancement Spiritual enhancement Balance lifestyle (relaxation and work) Balance lifestyle (relaxation and work) Routine health check-ups Routine health check-ups Check with physician regarding alternative medicine Check with physician regarding alternative medicine Personal goal setting Personal goal setting Personal care Personal care Plan personal time Plan personal time Plan economic futurePlan economic future

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health What are some of the goals to attain Healthy Aging? Seek additional health care coverage Seek additional health care coverage Enroll in Medicare and it needed, ask about Enroll in Medicare and it needed, ask about Medicaid (dual Eligibility) Medicaid (dual Eligibility) Volunteer to help others in your community Volunteer to help others in your community Seek part-time employment Seek part-time employment Use your expertise to enrich your daily life Use your expertise to enrich your daily life Learn not to take yourself to seriously Learn not to take yourself to seriously

Race, Class and Environment: The State of Minority Health Enjoy Your Life