New Study Confirms Need For A Diversity-based Approach To Healthcare

By Allan Bucka Jones
PRIDE Health Columnist

Recently a significant study from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, was published in the BMJ Open Journal. It is the first study in Canada to look at ethnic-specific trends of cardiovascular risk factors over time. Between 2001 and 2012, the study examined the prevalence of self-reported risk factors among 220,000 adult participants from the black, white, Chinese and South Asian communities.

The study found that the risk of getting heart disease soared among black women, black men and South Asian men over the period investigated.

In summarising the results of the study, Dr. Maria Chiu, the lead author of the study, said “Our findings suggest that cardiovascular risk factor profiles are worsening at different rates for different ethnic groups, and with more than a decade’s worth of data, we are able to show for the first time that general trends don’t apply to all ethnic groups”.

These findings confirm what I have said numerous times in this column, and on radio, that it is about time that Canada adopts a diversity based approach to healthcare. This country prides itself on multiculturalism and diversity, but it does not have a multicultural healthcare policy. The ‘one size fits all” approach does not work. This study underlines this, because if cardiovascular risks factor profiles worsen at different rates for different ethnic groups, they should be managed differently, based on their probability to manifest a disease.

We are all products of our genetic make-up and the environment in which we live. We can adjust environment, like lifestyle management, for example, but our genes remain unchanged, causing some ethnic groups to be more inclined to develop certain diseases.

Let us look at why we need a diversity approach to healthcare, by highlighting some of the common afflictions that affect the black community:

Lupus is a disease in which the body attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. Black women are three times more likely to get lupus than white women. The disease also develops at a younger age and carries more severe symptoms in black women. Despite this, the black community is not targeted with specific messages regarding lupus, so many women go untreated with this hard to diagnose condition, and may not access agencies that can help.

Sickle Cell Disease affects many ethnicities, but is at a disproportionately higher rate in black individuals. However, the devastating nature of sickle cell disease, is still not clear to many of us, and we still bring children into this world with the full blown disease. Also, many medical practitioners, due to lack of knowledge, are unable to properly treat patients presenting with a sickle cell crisis.

Breast Cancer carries a triple negative category where growth of the cancer is not supported by hormonal estrogen and progesterone. Black women are three times more likely to develop this type of breast cancer, which is about 10-20 per cent of all breast cancers. It affects women in their early thirties; it is a very aggressive type of cancer, and can lead to death by the mid-thirties. However there is a great disconnect with the messaging coming from the Canadian Cancer Society where women are encouraged to do a mammogram when they are in their late forties. By then it is too late for many black women.

Prostate Cancer is a big problem among middle aged men. Black men have higher rates of this cancer. There is a need for a sustained prostate cancer messaging from the Canadian Cancer Society and other agencies, directed to our community.

Diabetes is a very devastating disease at epidemic proportions in the black community. There is still room for more government funded community activity, directed at lifestyle changes that can delay or prevent the onset of diabetes, as we strive to deal with this disease that affects over 9 million Canadians, from head to toe, and the number keeps growing year after year.

Salt Content of common foods is a big contributor to high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, stomach cancer and any other illnesses. Too much salt in our diet is literally killing the black community.

The study presented some interesting findings over the 10 years investigated: The rate of diabetes in black females moved from 6.3 per cent to 15.2 percent; Obesity rates rose by 72 per cent for black males; Black women increased smoking rates by 11.6 per cent.

We should engage our politicians in discussing issues around healthcare for the black community. Good health is the basis for a good life. We owe this political engagement to our children and grandchildren, and those yet born. A federal election is taking place on October 19, now is the time for engagement, not tomorrow. Let your vote count. Get out of the mindset of voting for the same party election after election. Support the party and candidate that support your health needs.

The study concluded that “Awareness of ethnic-specific trends provides an opportunity for us to identify high-risk groups and target more effective prevention strategies”…Amen, it’s about time.

Allan Bucka Jones is a Health Promoter and Broadcaster. He can be heard on “Allan Bucka Jones LIVE”, Sundays from 4 to 6pm on VIBE 105 FM Toronto, www.vibe1055.com, VIBE RADIO App, Rogers Digital Cable 945, Bell Fibe 973 or mobile app TuneIn Radio. You can contact Allan Bucka Jones at allan@jonesandjones.ca.