According to Blackpast.org, history of the African-American population on the territory of the future United States of America begins in 1494, when Christopher Columbus arrived in Hispaniola with the first Africans and continues to this day (Timeline Home Page). During this time, African-American population of the US has experienced both ups and downs, bearing all trials fate has presented. It is no secret that African Americans have to face with various attitudes depending on the sphere of life. Under the various attitude I mean the presence or absence of any advantages in such aspects of life as education, health services, social economic aspects etc.
One of the main issues of interest to the African American population is health services and medical care delivery. You do not need to be a genius to know that in order to be healthy you need to be rich or at least have enough money to pay the bills after receiving necessary treatment. Today not everyone can afford himself either health services or a health insurance. Poverty and lack of education are only a few of reasons for such a situation to have place. According to data gathered by the University of Minnesota «black children and adolescents under age 18, experience poverty more than their same- age peers in other racial/ethnic groups» and this is only the top of an iceberg (Causes of Health Disparities). It is believed that the health program in the US is one of the best in the world until you find out how things really are. According to Forbes the USA are in the last place for men and before last for women in the ranking of life expectancy among 17 other developed countries (Pearl, “Why Health Care Is Different If You’re Black, Latino or poor”). This fact might impress you even more, when you discover that origins of such a situation are «because citizens of certain races, ethnicities and incomes experience poorer versions of U.S. health care than others». According to the University of Minnesota «Blacks received worse care than Whites for about 40% of measures», and poverty and low level of education have contributed to this (Causes of Health Disparities). Same resource indicates that diseases like «heart disease, diabetes, obesity, elevated blood lead level, and low birth weight» are consequences of poor living conditions. All these facts and numbers are disappointing and show how African-American population situation really is.
One of the main reasons why the African-American population of the United States is still receiving substandard medical services has been and remains racism. According to the University of Minnesota racism is the reason for the low level of social and economic life of the group like African Americans. These follows from the whole chain of events. Living in poor areas implies minority to go to poor schools, which limits education and further employment. Individuals who become subjects to racism attacks are more likely to experience psychological stress and depression. These individuals are more likely to use illicit substances and have physiological problems. These words are confirmed by the fact that «African American youth exhibit greater cardiovascular reactivity to various stressors compared with Whites» (Causes of Health Disparities). In addition, the African-American community has a number of other barriers that prevent people from such areas to receive high-paying jobs and the necessary medical services.
It is important to understand that the provision of proper medical services depends not only on the well-being of the people in need but also on the culture of those who provide these medical services. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation «African American children have a rate of hospitalization for asthma that is 4 to 5 times higher than the rate for White children» (Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health Care: What Are The Options). This fact implies that the African-American population is exposed to certain types of illnesses much more than the white population. Consequently, treatment must be different from that used on white man. Other evidence suggests that 30% of African Americans surveyed believe that their health depends entirely on their fate and that any change is not possible. But at the same time respondents also noted that talks about health are very useful and help prevent certain diseases. From these data it is clear that the formation of the African-American population depends on the degree of its education. Effective health care of the minority groups like African American community largely depends on the culture and to improve the care after patients it is necessary to make only a few steps to significantly improve the delivery of medical service. In addition to a detailed study of the physiology of the minority, it is important to involve interpreters in situations where it is necessary. The centuries-old experience of national medicine of this minority group should also be taken into account.
Works Cited
Timeline Home Page | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaime. blackpast.org. Blackpast.org, February 09, 2016
Pearl, Robert. M.D. «Why Health Care Is Different If You're Black, Latino Or Poor» Forbes. forbes.com. Forbes Magazine, February 09, 2016
«Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health Care: What are the Options?» kff.org. The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation, February 09, 2016
«Causes of Health Disparities». epi.umn.edu. University of Minnesota. February 09, 2016
