Observations from the Author:
When I was growing up, there were no fat black kids in our neighborhood. Well, okay, maybe there was one chunky black kid. And, maybe there was one overweight white kid. But, that was it!
Today, when you look around your neighborhood, or if you go to a ballgame, or you're shopping in the mall, or you're in church, you'll notice that at least 1 out of every 2.5 black kids is fat! What happened during the past 30-40 years?
The experts say it was a lot of factors that caused this epidemic including: a high fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, schools cutting out the gym classes, television-watching, TV commercials, playing computer games instead of playing outside, everybody having a car, both parents working, latch-key kids, school cafeteria food, soda machines in the schools, easier access to fast foods, etc.
But these factors affected all the children, not just African-American kids. Were there any unique factors that fueled this obesity and diabetes epidemic for African-Americans?
Social Factors
First of all, in the African-American community, the so-called normal body image is skewed toward the unhealthy. Studies show a strong tendency to deem larger body sizes as acceptable, particularly for women.
It is understood within the African-American community that curvy, overweight women are considered more appealing to black men than normal- or under-weight women. There is almost a reverse distortion of body image -- with thicker women fighting weight-loss and slender women wanting to gain weight in order to be accepted.
This may account for the staggering statistic that 4 out of 5 African-American women are overweight or obese.
African-American women of all ages report less exercise than their white counterparts. "Many of them feel that it's not feminine or they're afraid to sweat because it will ruin their hairstyle," says Dr. Bell. Other hindrances include not having child care, not having enough time to be physically active, and not feeling safe being active in their neighborhoods.
African-American men aren't off the hook either. African-American men also exercise less than white women, and have the highest prevalence of obesity among all male ethnic groups.
However, African-American men are more active than their female counterparts, which may be the reason that only 28.8 percent are obese, compared to 50.8 percent of African-American women.
With the head of the African-American family -- the matriarch -- more likely to be overweight and sedentary, it is no surprise that many black men and children are also overweight. Regular exercise, portion-control and healthy eating habits are not routinely ingrained into the structure of African-American families.
One in four African-American girls and almost one in five African-American boys are overweight. We are now beginning to see high blood pressure and type II diabetes -- historically diseases of adulthood -- in these overweight children. Seven out of every 10 overweight adolescents will become overweight adults. That number increases to eight if one or more parents is also overweight. Thus, the cycle continues.
The "soul food" tradition adds to the problem in some African-American households. Most of the recipes are passed down from generation to generation, usually from families who originated from the southern states. There is a strong social component to this style of cooking, centered around family gatherings or opportunities for the family's matriarch to show her love for the family. However, traditional soul food is often cooked with fat, sugar and unhealthy amounts of salt that contribute to weight gain and high blood pressure. Ironically, soul food is often considered "good food," as compared to fast-food, so the perception of healthy food choices are also skewed.
Factors Driven by U.S. History
But, there were a couple significant events in American History in the 60s and 70s that created a paradigm shift for many African-Americans that led them to become even fatter. Do you have any idea what those events were? Think about it before you read the next paragraph ... Give up?
In 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed, outlawing major forms of discrimination against blacks and women, including racial segregation. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public.
That led to Affirmative Action policies being implemented to provide equal opportunity employment to blacks and women. These measures are intended to prevent discrimination against employees or applicants for employment, on the basis of "color, religion, sex, or national origin".
This led many African-Americans to receive a better education, an academic scholarship to attend a major university, and obtain a good-paying job with benefits. As a result, African-Americans were moving up into the middle-class, receiving healthcare for the first time in some cases.
Many blacks like my parents had begun moving North tin the 1950s and 1960s to get good-paying blue-collar jobs with the steel mills and automobile manufacturing plants. Many blacks left their farms and rural areas to move into the cities and urban areas.
With better jobs, blacks received free healthcare and were introduced to "free" drugs from their doctors. With more disposable income, blacks were able to buy their own cars. Now they could drive to the various fast foods places instead of prepare a meal from their farm or garden.
Gradually, the eating habits of many blacks changed over time. When I was growing up, we ate a lot of soups, chili, stews, and salads because those meals were inexpensive and easy to make for eight children. Our father had a garden in the backyard, and he loved salads -- lots of onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, spinach. Also, our uncle had a big farm out in the country. So, we were never lacking for fresh vegetables and fruits. We never realized that we were eating superior food! We saw "farm" food as "poor people" food. But, we didn't complain -- unless you wanted to peel yourself off the wall.
Once a month (if we behaved and if we had earned enough money from our chores and neighborhood jobs), we walked 3 miles to visit a McDonald's for a hamburger, fries, and shake. After eating the food, then, we walked back home. By the time we got home, we had burned off the 1200 calories from the fast food meal!
Today, we go to the drive-thru to pick up our meal, and drive back home. Oh, by the way, that same meal is now over 3500 calories!
I remember when one of us kids got the sniffles, our mother would make a concoction of honey, rock candy, black peppers, and some hard liquor. And, the sniffles went away by the next day! Also, our mother gave us a tablespoon of cod liver oil (and sometimes castor oil) a few times a week. We couldn't afford to buy cafeteria food in the school cafeteria, so we carried a brown bag lunch of a peanut-and-butter (or mayo) sandwich, some nuts, and an apple.
I was never sick and never missed a day of school, but, not until I started doing some research did I realize that my good health had something to do with eating farm food!
Growing up I never had a weight problem -- until I stopped playing basketball and tennis in my mid-40s. Everyone else had begun to transition to golf. I never cared for golf -- I recall not being allowed to play on a local golf course because I was black, but that's a story for another day.
Although I had stopped playing ball, I didn't think it was going to be much of a problem. But, over the next several years, I gained a few pounds each year, worked longer hours, and stopped exercising altogether. But, I was still reasonably healthy -- I had just had a complete physical and everything seemed fine. I did have high cholesterol and my doctor put me on Lipitor, 20 mg a day.
Then one morning (in March 2002) when I awoke, I could hardly move. So, I crawled across the bed, reached for the phone and called 911 before I blacked out. The ambulance broke down my front door and took me to the hospital.
When I came out of the coma a couple days later, I uncovered two major myths about diabetes: that my ethnic background, and my family history were two of the major reasons for my diabetes; and, because the endocrinologist implied that my diabetes was hereditary, it appeared that there was very little that I could have done to prevent it.
It also appeared that there was very little that I would be able to do to stop the diabetes from ravaging my body, as major complications had already developed with my eyes, kidneys, cardiovascular system, and both legs.
But, none of this made any sense to me. So I started doing some research: first, to figure out how to better control my diabetes; and second, to figure out why so many people were becoming diabetic, especially African-Americans and other ethnic groups.
Because of my background in biochemistry and engineering, it wasn't that difficult to figure out how to get my diabetes under control and eventually wean myself off the insulin and other drugs.
My primary care physician, who had known me for more than 10 years, was very helpful and supportive during my recovery. On the other hand, my endocrinologist was not supportive. He was very egotistical and kept pushing me to increase my insulin dosage, despite the fact that my blood glucose readings were coming down.
This is when I ran into another problem that many African-Americans face -- a prejudicial bias of me having the mental capacity to analyze my blood glucose readings, correlate the data, and reduce my medications accordingly. When I told the endocrinologist what I was doing, he had a smirk on his face, and, said: "I'm the expert here -- I'll decide what you should be doing with your medications. After all, you almost killed yourself so let's not depend on your judgment in these medical matters."
Then, I pulled my laptop out of my briefcase, and showed him my various Excel spreadsheets, blood glucose charts, and PowerPoint flow charts. He was surprised at what I showed him, and said: "Who put this together for you?"
I said: "I did."
The endocrinologist said: "Really? You've only been out of the hospital a few weeks -- how did you put all of this together by yourself? Are you sure your doctor didn't help you?"
I said: "This is what we engineers do for a living -- we collect, record, and analyze data. And, I used that experience to help me get my blood glucose levels under control."
He said: "You can't use what you do on machines and apply it to a human body. I've been dealing with diabetes for 26 years, and trust me when I tell you this is a very complex disease, and you're lucky to be alive. This is no time to play amateur doctor. Leave this to the experts."
He also said: "And, because of your blood clot issues, you almost had a stroke or a pulmonary embolism. You cannot continue to eat broccoli and other green vegetables because of the Vitamin K will counteract the Coumadin, and you'll be putting your life in danger again."
The endocrinologist walked out of the room and refused to look at my charts. When he returned, he gave me strict instructions to increase my insulin and he would talk to my primary care physician about increasing my Coumadin dosage. He refused to look me in the eyes, and motioned to the physician assistant to give me two pamphlets on diabetes and insulin, as he walked out of the room.
Now, maybe this wasn't as much an issue of bias as it was an issue of pride and egotism. Some doctors truly believe they're gods and they carry themselves accordingly, and expect us to bow down and be grateful.
It became very clear that it was up to me to figure this out on my own.
I ran into my next myth about diabetes about 3 months later, when I had successfully reduced my insulin dosage from 60 units 4 shots a day down to 0 units 0 shots a day. According to the medical experts, once you go on insulin, that's it -- you have to take insulin for the rest of your life, or die. In some rare cases, you may be able to go back to taking a pill, but you must take some kind of diabetic medication.
My primary care physician congratulated me on my progress and gave me a copy of my blood work. He also mentioned that the endocrinologist was not happy with me. The endocrinologist said that I would be back on insulin in 3 months.
When I started doing some research into why so many people were becoming diabetic, I came across some astounding statistics that had been put together by the National Institute of Health (NIH). I also came across some shocking statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) that showed that the increase in diabetes was not unique to the United States, and that it was reaching epidemic levels. At that time, there were 15 million diabetics in the U.S. Nine years later, that number has grown to more than 26 million!
When you think about the diabetes issue with African-Americans, most people will say that the primary reason why so many blacks have diabetes is the food. Blacks eat too much animal meat and starchy foods, i.e. bacon, sausage, ham, spareribs, other pork, grits, macaroni 'n cheese, vegetables over-cooked and seasoned with ham-hocks, sweet potato pie, etc.
Yeah, it's obvious that it's the food and not exercising, but you can say that about Caucasian-Americans as well as well as other groups! A lot of people have poor eating habits and don't exercise!
Okay -- then, all we need to do is eat better and exercise! Case closed!
As an engineer who's job it is to solve complex problems, this one was pretty easy to solve. But, as most engineers will attest, coming up with the solution to a problem is pretty easy. But, implementing the solution is entirely different!
And, that's what I discovered during the next part of my journey. It was easy for me to implement my changes because my mother and my daughter did most of the work early on. Then, my managers and engineering staff helped me by hiring a local chef to come in and prepare my meals after my mother and daughter had gone back home.
So, I had a running head-start at eating properly without doing any of the hard work! Most people don't have that luxury! I began to realize the importance of meal planning and preparation.
When I would tell people what I was eating (especially for breakfast), they were shocked. At work, I met other people who were diabetic and struggled with their disease for years. They thought they were eating healthy, but they weren't!
Then, when I started talking to various community groups, churches, and senior citizen groups, I ran into another problem that I didn't experience:having the disposable income to buy more expensive foods such as wild salmon, extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables and fruits, etc. These foods were more expensive than the packaged processed foods and the fast foods.
When I began writing my book, I realized that I needed to address all these areas and more if I was going to develop a successful program for everyone.
I uncovered that there are medical, pharmaceutical, social, economic and political factors at play that drive all groups especially ethnic groups (and senior citizen groups) towards diabetes and other diseases. In addition, I discovered that there were a lot of creative ways to address these medical, pharmaceutical, social, economic and political issues and still improve one's health.
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Why Black People Are Droppin' Like Flies
Author's Perspective: Unfortunately, many African-Americans in the United States have bigger worries than eating healthy -- like keeping a job! Given the state of the economy, it's difficult to focus on eating healthy. But, African_Americans still didn't eat healthy when the economy was doing well. So, what's the real issue here?
If I could sum it up in one word, I would say that many African-Americans areD.E.A.D. inside. They may be alive physically, but, they're D.E.A.D.emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.
D.E.A.D. stands for:
Denial: Some African-Americans live in denial. They deny that their grandparents, parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other relatives have or had diabetes. They deny that they need to make any lifestyle changes. They deny that diabetes is going to catch up with them.
Ego: Some African-Americans believe that "they're special" and that they won't become diabetic. Others don't believe that someone iin their own race is intelligent enough to help them. This is part of the "self-hate "complex that blacks have about themselves. Of course, blacks deny that this complex exists, but studies indicate otherwise.
Apathy: Some African-Americans give up and accept the fact that there is nothing that they can do to prevent diabetes or successfully fight their diabetes. Others are weak emotionally or lack the emotional support from family and friends. Some are weak-minded and lack the discipline and will power to even want to fight the disease. Others love eating the toxic, fattening fast foods from McDonald's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, etc. Also, it's easier to drive to KFC and pickup some chicken and mash potatoes than it is to steam some vegetables and bake some wild salmon at home. In addition, (on the surface) it appears that KFC is a lot cheaper than wild salmon -- if you exclude the medical costs associated with being diabetic.
Disparities: African-Americans suffer healthwise disproportionately due to racism.
Some African-Americans don't believe that you can successfully fight and reverse this disease. As a result, they don't do the research to find out that thousands of people have actually defeated their diabetes. Others are shocked when their doctor tells them that they're diabetic.
Note: To counteract being D.E.A.D., you have to be A.L.I.V.E. Read the Solution section of this web page for more details.
Why African-Americans Suffer Unnecessarily
In the African-American and Latino-American communities, there is a lack of awareness and interest in health, especially alternative health. That's why it's important to tell people about Mr. McCulley's story -- so that people learn that there is real hope out there.
For example, have you noticed the increase in the use of African-Americans in pharmaceutical TV commercials about diabetes and high blood pressure? During the past 20 years, did you notice the increase in the use of hip-hop music in fast-food ads by McDonald's, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken? So, who do you think these 'hip-hop' commercials were targeting? It certainly wasn't Caucasian-Americans!
These 'targeted' food commercials combined with other restrictions in our country (employment, access to fresh foods, education, racism) transformed African-American andLatino-American adults and children into anoverweight/obese population that became addicted to fast foods, soda, and other convenience processed foods. Thatoverweight/obese population was then transformed into a"diseased" population of people struggling with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney failure, heart attacks, and strokes.
Disease Statistics for Black America
Health Conditions: In 2005, the death rate for African Americans was higher than Whites for heart diseases, stroke, cancer, asthma, influenza and pneumonia, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and homicide. Cancer Facts
Most black people are familiar with the phrase DWB – Driving While Black. I have a new phrase that uses the same letters: Dying While Black.
At almost every income level, African-Americans are sicker than whites and dying at a significantly higher rate. Black men live on average 9 years less than white men. Black men have shorter live spans than men in Chile, Barbados, Bahamas or Jamaica. Black women live on average years 6 less than white women. Black women have shorter live spans than women in Barbados, Panama, Bosnia and the Bahamas. Infant mortality rates are 2 times higher for blacks. A racist commented that African Americans should be grateful for being in the United States, yet, African-Americans have more low-birth weight infants than women in Rwanda, Ghana and Uganda.
Social factors more than any other type of factors fuels the inequality of health statusbetween Blacks and Whites in the United States. These social factors include: wealth/income, education, physical environment, healthcare, housing employment, stress and racism/discrimination. In fact, racism is so dominant a factor, that middle class blacks have poorer health than some less well-off whites due to the stress of living in a racist discriminatory society.
Chris Rock, the black comedian, once said: “Once I became successful, I asked a homeless white man if he wanted to be me --rich and black. The white person said: “No thanks, I think I’ve got a good thing going here (being white).”
Of course, using racism as an excuse only creates a vicious cycle of apathy and self-victimization. There are too many examples of blacks who have overcome the challenges and barriers despite the odds of growing up poor in an economically-drained community. I believe these challenges can make you or break you. What’s that saying? “Whatever doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.”
Luckily for me and my brothers and sisters, we had strong parents who didn’t accept failure. My father told us: “You have 2 choices – to be a victim or a victor – it’s up to you. But, since you’re livin’ rent-free under my roof, you only have one choice – you will go to school and get A’s and B’s – you will be victors in this society, even if it kills you.”
Many blacks experience some form of passive racism when they visit the doctor or the hospital. It’s not that doctors and nurses are bad people. In fact, they are good people who helped to save my life. In fact, I wrote a letter to the personnel department of the hospital thanking the doctors and especially one of the nurses for saving my life.
However, during my visit to the endocrinologist, the endocrinologist assumed that I didn’t understand anything about diabetes and blood glucose testing, and so he talked down to me. When I tried to show the endocrinologist the analysis I had done with my blood glucose data, the doctor pooh-poohed me, and told me that I didn’t have the necessary knowledge to reduce my insulin dosage.
Three months later, I had reduced my insulin shots from 4 a day to 1 a day, and then eventually to no shots. But, instead of being happy for me, the doctor was angry. Why? It wasn’t racism – it had more to do with money – the fact that the doctor wouldn’t be able to make any more money pushing his drugs onto me.
When I was growing up, I received a lot of support from various white people including teachers and other professionals. As a result, I believe that although racism exists, you can overcome it via hard work. In fact, my father told us to accept the fact that although racism exists, he would not allow his sons to use it as an excuse for not getting A’s and B’s in school. My father told himme: “Son, you will just have to work harder, smarter and longer than the other kids. That’s just the way it is.” My father worked 3 jobs, so I had a strong work ethic that my father had passed down to us children.
Ironically, that strong work ethic from my father helped me deal with my diabetes, and realize that I had to work harder, smarter and longer if I wanted to defeat this disease – and, I did, thanks to my wise father.
Note: Black people (African-Americans) used to be pretty healthy 50-60 years ago. And, further back -- during slavery times -- black people were even healthier. The primary reason why black people weren’t living that long had more to do with the hangings, beatings, and overt racism – not how they ate or exercised. But, today that has changed – we’re not getting hanged as much, but we’re still dying just as fast.
Culture
One of the keys to understanding “Why Black People Are Droppin’ Like Flies” requires us to understand their ancestry and culture.
Culture is defined as the thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups.
Because health care is a cultural construct, arising from beliefs about the nature of disease and the human body, cultural issues are actually central in the delivery of health services treatment and preventive interventions. By understanding, valuing, and incorporating the cultural differences of America's diverse population and examining one's own health-related values and beliefs, health care organizations, practitioners, and others can support a health care system that responds appropriately to, and directly serves the unique needs of populations whose cultures may be different from the prevailing culture.
African American culture in the United States refers to the cultural contributions of African ethnic groups to the culture of the United States, either as part of or distinct from American culture. The distinct identity of African American culture is rooted in the historical experience of the African American people, including the Middle Passage, and thus the culture retains a distinct identity while at the same time it is enormously influential to American culture as a whole.
African American culture is rooted in Africa and is a blend of chiefly sub-Saharan African and Sahelean cultures. Although slavery greatly restricted the ability of Africans in America to practice their cultural traditions, many practices, values, and beliefs survived and over time have modified or blended with European American culture. There are even some facets of African American culture that were accentuated by the slavery period. The result is a dynamic culture that has had and continues to have a profound impact on mainstream American culture, as well as the culture of the broader world.
The Legacy of African-American CuisinePopular southern foods, such as the vegetable okra (brought to New Orleans by African slaves), are often attributed to the importation of goods from Africa, or by way of Africa, the West Indies, and the slave trade. Okra, which is the principal ingredient in the popular Creole stew referred to as gumbo, is believed to have spiritual and healthful properties. Rice and seafood (along with sausage or chicken), and filé (a sassafras powder inspired by the Choctaw Indians) are also key ingredients in gumbo. Other common foods that are rooted in African-American culture include black-eyed peas, benne seeds (sesame), eggplant, sorghum (a grain that produces sweet syrup and different types of flour), watermelon, and peanuts.
Though southern food is typically known as "soul food" many African Americans contend that soul food consists of African-American recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, just like other African-American rituals. The legacy of African and West Indian culture is imbued in many of the recipes and food traditions that remain popular today. The staple foods of African Americans, such as rice, have remained largely unchanged since the first Africans and West Indians set foot in the New World, and the southern United States, where the slave population was most dense, has developed a cooking culture that remains true to the African-American tradition. This cooking is aptly named southern cooking, the food, or soul food.
Over the years, many have interpreted the term soul food based on current social issues facing the African-American population, such as the civil rights movement. Many civil rights advocates believe that using this word perpetuates a negative connection between African Americans and slavery. However, as Doris Witt notes in her book Black Hunger (1999), the "soul" of the food refers loosely to the food's origins in Africa.
In his 1962 essay "Soul Food," Amiri Baraka makes a clear distinction between southern cooking and soul food. To Baraka, soul food includes chitterlings (pronounced chitlins), pork chops, fried porgies, potlikker, turnips, watermelon, black-eyed peas, grits, hoppin' John, hushpuppies, okra, and pancakes. Today, many of these foods are limited among African Americans to holidays and special occasions. Southern food, on the other hand, includes only fried chicken, sweet potato pie, collard greens, and barbecue, according to Baraka. The idea of what soul food is seems to differ greatly among African Americans.
General Dietary InfluencesIn 1992 it was reported that there is little difference between the type of foods eaten by whites and African Americans. There have, however, been large changes in the overall quality of the diet of African Americans since the 1960s – which has fueled the increase in cancer rates and the diabetes epidemic in African-Americans. In 1965, African Americans were more than twice as likely as whites to eat a diet that met the recommended guidelines for fat, fiber, and fruit and vegetable intakes.
By 1996, however, 28 percent of African-Americans were reported to have a poor-quality diet, compared to 16 percent of whites, and 14 percent of other racial groups. The diet of African Americans is particularly poor for children two to ten years old, for older adults, and for those from a low socioeconomic background. Of all racial groups, African Americans have the most difficulty in eating diets that are low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This represents an immense change in diet quality. Some explanations for this include: (1) the greater market availability of packaged and processed foods; (2) the high cost of fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean cuts of meat; (3) the common practice of frying food and using fats in cooking; and (4) lack of knowledge about real nutrition.
Compared to Caucasians, African-Americans have 1.8 times the rate of fatal stroke, 1.5 times the risk of fatal heart disease, and 4.2 times the rates of end-stage kidney disease. In general, about 34% percent of African American men and women have hypertension; it may account for over 40% of all deaths in this group.
African-Americans have a higher risk for an impaired response to angiotensin (AngII), which is a peptide important in regulating salt and water balances. African-Americans are more likely to be salt-sensitive than other groups.
Social and income disparities and dietary issues may explain many of the differences in blood pressure rates observed between ethnic groups. For example, while African Americans have a disproportionately high rate of hypertension, one study in rural African villages, where diets are rich in fish, reported only a 3% rate of high blood pressure among inhabitants.” (Hypertension Health Information-NY Times Health)
Researchers suggest that African Americans and recent African immigrants to America have inherited a “thrifty gene” from their African ancestors. Years ago, this gene enabled Africans, during “feast and famine” cycles, to use food energy more efficiently when food was scarce. Today, with fewer “feast and famine” cycles, the thrifty gene that developed for survival may instead make weight control more difficult. This genetic predisposition, along with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), often occurs together with the generic tendency toward high blood pressure.” (Diabetes and African-Americans)
Exploitation of African-Americans by Western MedicineIt is important that African-Americans with Type 2 diabetes or any disease driven by a nutrient deficiency realize that they are subject to multiple socio-cultural, medical and environmental influences on their eating and other health-related behaviors. This is true for all ethnic cultures in the U.S.
Just as important, African-Americans and other cultures have been falsely led by the medical profession to believe that their Type 2 diabetes is hereditary. This is far from the truth. This is dangerous thinking because some African-Americans “give up” because they believe that they can’t defeat a disease that’s “in their blood”.
In addition, despite the fact that African-Americans were mistreated by the medical profession (e.g. Tuskegee syphilis experiment, 1932-1972), a large majority of African-Americans have a strong (false) belief in the medical profession and their drugs. Not to make excuses, but many African-Americans do not have the “luxury” to make better choices about their food, when they have to overcome the reality that they are not welcomed by a country that became rich, benefiting from the centuries of free labor via slavery. Also, many African-Americans are more concerned about getting a job, keeping a job, overcoming their environment, and not getting shot in their neighborhood. Eating healthy is just not seen as a major priority.
The exploitation of African-Americans in medical education and research included the use of black bodies in anatomical dissection, the medical care of slaves, the surgical experiments on slaves, and government-sponsored radiation experiments after World War II using unwitting African-Americans as guinea pigs. And, don’t forget about the notorious Tuskegee Syphilis Study, in which about 600 black men with syphilis were left untreated by the U.S. Public Health Service in an effort to study the pathology of the disease.
However, it would be remiss on my part if I did not point out that the ethical problems in medical research pertain not to race alone but to the power relations of scientific medicine. For centuries the urban poor have been exploited as "teaching material" in the great hospitals of every Western country. In America since the later 19th century, similar stories could be told about immigrants, Catholics, Jews, and others who habituated the charity wards of US teaching hospitals. Medical research has always tended to take advantage of the powerless and voiceless, whoever they might be.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, when racism in the United States was at its most intense, numerous episodes of flagrant maltreatment occurred. After World War II, as racism began to ebb, the worst of these abuses ended. However, African-Americans continued to be over-represented in clinical trials relative to their percentage of the general population. This largely reflected the fact that academic medical centers drew most of their “clinical material” from their immediate geographic surroundings -- areas that were often heavily black in demographic composition.
Today, many African-Americans do not have a good relationship with Western Medicine for various reasons including insufficient healthcare, language barriers, and negative perceptions. During the 1900s-1960s, African-Americans did not have the types of jobs where the company paid for their healthcare. As a result, many African-Americans could not afford to go to the doctor, and relied upon their great grandmother or other older relative to provide herb mixtures and other concoctions. However, after the civil rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s, more African-Americans acquired jobs working in Corporate America. As a result, more African-Americans obtain healthcare insurance and now could afford to visit the doctor.
Ironically, this didn’t really help to improve the health of African-Americans. Instead, they relied upon the knowledge of the doctor and trusted the doctor, who “pushed” a lot of drugs onto the African-American families. During the next 30 years, African-Americans gradually became one of the top consumers of OTC and prescription drugs. Coincidentally, during that same time frame, the overall health of African-Americans deteriorated and the number of deaths associated with heart disease, cancer, and diabetes increased dramatically.
During that same time, the medical industry worked hand-in-hand with the pharmaceutical companies to increase their revenue and profits tremendously, such that the pharmaceutical industry has become a trillion-dollar revenue-making industry.
Despite the terrible history that African-Americans have had with Western Medicine, most African-Americans believe that drugs really work and believe that the drugs give them the freedom to eat poorly – without realizing that the drugs actually contribute to their poor health. This misperception is reinforced by the doctor who plays the “blame game” and implies that your disease is due to your family genes, your diet, your lifestyle, and your age. Although this is true to some degree, for the most part, these are excuses that transfer the blame from the doctor to the patient. There’s nothing wrong with that – as long as the patient realizes that they are responsible for their health, not their doctor.
Now, doctors are good people – they do the best they can, but the reality is that doctors are trained to push the drugs, and we as patients gladly accept the drugs. Western Medicine is a business, not a service, which is designed to generate massive profits – for the doctors and the pharmaceutical companies – at the expense of the patient’s health. Unfortunately, this is not going to change – until the patient gets smarter and realizes that he must reject the drugs and find alternative solutions.
Compared to Caucasian-Americans, African-Americans experience higher rates of diabetes complications such as eye disease, kidney failure and amputations. Some factors that influence these complications are lack of knowledge, apathy, the false belief in Western Medicine's drugs, high blood pressure, cigarettes smoking and a lack of exercise. It is unfortunate that so many diabetics, particularly African-Americans do not eat better or exercise. In the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) survey, "Fifty percent of African American men and sixty-seven percent of African American women reported that they participated in little to no leisure time physical activity." There is obviously still a sense of apathy in many Americans, particularly African Americans when it comes to caring for diabetes.
All of us need to become more aware of how we end up taking more and more drugs, and not improving our health.
Regardless of your race or culture, we can all agree that healthcare costs are rising, and will continue to rise because Western Medicine is “a big business”, not a service for the American public. And, the sooner the public realizes this, the sooner they’ll realize that the state of their health should be in their control, not the control of the healthcare system.
The “Isolation” of African-Americans in AmericaThere is anta large percege of African-Americans who don't have a computer and access to the Internet. Unfortunately, this leads to "knowledge isolation" and a lack of understanding about how diabetes and other diseases really work. Because of this isolation, many African-Americans suffer unnecessarily, and are unaware of Amazon.com, YouTube, BlackInAmerica.com, WebMD, and other Internet platforms that can expand their knowledge in nutrition and alternative medicine , and understand the dangers of Western medicine and its dependence on drugs.
We attribute this to several factors. Of course, our findings do not apply to all African-Americans, and these reasons are not associated with just African-Americans. Other ethnic cultures suffer similar isolation issues.
1. Many African-Americans are nutrient-deficient, making them more susceptible to diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers. For example, African-Americans do not eat lean protein foods such as nuts, seed, and wild salmon, and are therefore deficient in Omega-3 EFAs. African-Americans eat more nutrient-poor fast foods than other ethnic groups, consuming excess animal fat and refined carbohydrates. Also, African-Americans do not get enough exposure to the sun, and consequently are Vitamin D deficient.
2. Some African-Americans will spend money for cosmetics, hair products and going to the beauty salon, but they are not as willing to spend money for their health, e.g. health book, health coaching appointments, health plan, health seminar, diabetes workshop.
3. Some African-Americans will spend money for the doctors and their drugs, but not for health-related products or services.
4. Some African-Americans are more concerned (and rightly so) about having enough money to buy any kind of food, let alone "healthy" food.
5. Some African-Americans are struggling just to stay alive --eating healthy is not a priority. "Eating healthy" is seen as a luxury, not something that is mandatory.
6. African-Americans struggle with bigger problems than "health" -- not realizing that good Health and Wealth are connected.
7. African-Americans have to deal with various social "isms" and overcome other struggles that majority Caucasian-Americans don't have to deal with on a daily basis, e.g. racism, elitism.
8. Some African-Americans do not believe that they are worthy and intelligent. due to racism and other "isms" in our society. They are unaware of their rich heritage and their powerful history. Did you know that some of the original mathematicians and engineers were of African heritage?
9. More than 97% of African-American homes have a TV, but less than 15% own a computer, creating an "isolation" phenomena.
10. Some African-Americans have a very strong belief in their doctors and their drugs -- despite the abuse of African-Americans by the medical profession in the 1900s and 1940s, and the biases of the healthcare system.
11. Some African-Americans don't have the disposable income to buy health-related and nutrition-based books.
12. Some African-Americans no longer leverage the power of the black church -- as they did in the past. For example, it was the black church that educated blacks when it was against the law for blacks to read or go to school.
13. Some African-American churches and pastors ignore the sections of the Bible that discuss nutrition. Ironically, many of the church leaders (as well as the congregation) struggle with health issues, many of which are directly connected to poor eating habits.
14. Some African-Americans tend to have a strong faith and belief in God, but when they get sick, they along with their pastors and church leaders choose the man-made drugs over God's foods!
15. African-American homogeneous groups (i.e. black fraternities, sororities, clubs, churches) tend to sponsor mostly entertainment-type events such as concerts, shows, parties, etc. and demonstrate very little interest in health-related events.
16. African-Americans are unaware of the manipulation by the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Kidney Foundation, and other health organizations to use free health fairs to infiltrate black churches starting in the mid-1980s. Many of these free health fairs were sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies, who paid these organizations to infiltrate the black churches with a "trojan horse". As a result, a larger percentage of African-Americans take medications today.
17. African-Americans are unaware of how to enjoy their favorite ethnic foods. Most dietitians have told African-Americans that they can't eat fried chicken, bacon, grits, etc. This has led African-Americans to ignore good eating habits because most of these diet programs do not embrace ethnic foods. However, during the past several years since Mr. McCulley gave his talk at Aenon Baptist Church, he has done the research to figure out how African-Americans can enjoy their favorite foods (by transforming them into healthier foods!).
Note: Some of these statements are controversial and may upset some people, but the bottom line is that the CDC and NIH health statistics show that African-Americans (and other etnic groups) are dying faster than they should be dying. In the end, it will be their responsibility to change the way the eat and live -- if they want their children to have a higher quality of life and to live longer than their parents.
A.L.I.V.E. stands for the following:
Affirmative Action policies need to be implemented to overcome racism and provide equal opportunity employment to blacks and women. These measures are intended to prevent discrimination against employees or applicants for employment, on the basis of "color, religion, sex, or national origin".
Active: African-Americans must become moreactive, and exercise on a consistent basis. Being active means more than just exercising for 30 minutes a day!
Being active is a mindset, where you look for creative ways to move, i.e. walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator; walking on your treadmill or using your elliptical machine while watching TV or talking on the phone; shoveling the driveway, mowing the lawn, gardening. African-Americans must also "accept" the fact that they have a serious problem (diabetes) -- becausethat's the first step in solving a problem: recognizing that you have a real serious problem -- not "just a little sugar problem".
Live Foods: African-Americans must eat more "live" foods and a lot less "dead" foods in order to fight the diabetes, obesity, or other illness. "Live" foods include vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, plant oils, whole grains, and filtered water.
Intelligent: African-Americans must become more intelligent by taking classes and doing their own research on nutrition, disease, and drugs. A good way to start the education process is to get several books on diabetes, wellness, and nutrition, including the book Death to Diabetes. Once they acquire the knowledge, they won't give up and they'll realize that there is something that they can do to prevent diabetes or successfully reverse their diabetes. ln addition, they must invest the time and be insistent with their family and doctor that they really want to change.
Visionary: African-Americans must be visionary and see beyond just today, and realize that a long-term commitment to a healthy lifestyle will provide many rewards in the future. It will also send a positive message to the children, who learn their (good and bad) habits from their parents. They must also be vigorous with lots of energy to improve their health.
Enthusiastic and Energetic: African-Americans must be enthusiastic andenergetic, and have a lot of emotion and passion associated with the changes in their lifestyle. They must also have a certain amount of positive ego with confidence, and commitment to be strong enough to fight the establishment and the doctors, who will continue to push their drugs.
Solution No. 2: There are 11 key areas that African-Americans (and other ethnic groups) need to address to improve their overall health:
Note: Many of these areas is addressed in Mr. McCulley's book "Death to Diabetes".
Note: Read this web page to understand why African-Americans remain poor.
For more specific information about possible solutions to improve the health of African-Americans and other ethnic cultures, get the ebook PDF titled "Why Black People Are Droppin' Like Flies" from our online store.
This 120-page ebook PDF explains the key reasons behind the dramatic health decline of African-Americans in the U.S, and "why black people are droppin' like flies". It also explains the history and social/economic/racial impacts that affect the health of many African-Africans, and how to overcome these "isms".
Key sections include: black culture, profile of African-Americans, food and culture, disease statistics for black men and black women, history of "soul foods", why blacks reject conventional diets, the "isolation" of blacks, top challenges, how to stop the madness, and action plans for blacks to improve their health and the health of their family, and future generations -- by overcoming the financial, social, and economic barriers.
Other sections include nutrition and disease-related discussions about Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans, Asian Indians, and diabetes in Africa.
Slave-ship Hypothesis of Hypertension in Blacks
When I was growing up, there were no fat black kids in our neighborhood. Well, okay, maybe there was one chunky black kid. And, maybe there was one overweight white kid. But, that was it!Today, when you look around your neighborhood, or if you go to a ballgame, or you're shopping in the mall, or you're in church, you'll notice that at least 1 out of every 2.5 black kids is fat! What happened during the past 30-40 years?
The experts say it was a lot of factors that caused this epidemic including: a high fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, schools cutting out the gym classes, television-watching, TV commercials, playing computer games instead of playing outside, everybody having a car, both parents working, latch-key kids, school cafeteria food, soda machines in the schools, easier access to fast foods, etc.
But these factors affected all the children, not just African-American kids. Were there any unique factors that fueled this obesity and diabetes epidemic for African-Americans?
Social Factors
First of all, in the African-American community, the so-called normal body image is skewed toward the unhealthy. Studies show a strong tendency to deem larger body sizes as acceptable, particularly for women.
It is understood within the African-American community that curvy, overweight women are considered more appealing to black men than normal- or under-weight women. There is almost a reverse distortion of body image -- with thicker women fighting weight-loss and slender women wanting to gain weight in order to be accepted.
This may account for the staggering statistic that 4 out of 5 African-American women are overweight or obese.
African-American women of all ages report less exercise than their white counterparts. "Many of them feel that it's not feminine or they're afraid to sweat because it will ruin their hairstyle," says Dr. Bell. Other hindrances include not having child care, not having enough time to be physically active, and not feeling safe being active in their neighborhoods.
African-American men aren't off the hook either. African-American men also exercise less than white women, and have the highest prevalence of obesity among all male ethnic groups.
However, African-American men are more active than their female counterparts, which may be the reason that only 28.8 percent are obese, compared to 50.8 percent of African-American women.
With the head of the African-American family -- the matriarch -- more likely to be overweight and sedentary, it is no surprise that many black men and children are also overweight. Regular exercise, portion-control and healthy eating habits are not routinely ingrained into the structure of African-American families.
One in four African-American girls and almost one in five African-American boys are overweight. We are now beginning to see high blood pressure and type II diabetes -- historically diseases of adulthood -- in these overweight children. Seven out of every 10 overweight adolescents will become overweight adults. That number increases to eight if one or more parents is also overweight. Thus, the cycle continues.
The "soul food" tradition adds to the problem in some African-American households. Most of the recipes are passed down from generation to generation, usually from families who originated from the southern states. There is a strong social component to this style of cooking, centered around family gatherings or opportunities for the family's matriarch to show her love for the family. However, traditional soul food is often cooked with fat, sugar and unhealthy amounts of salt that contribute to weight gain and high blood pressure. Ironically, soul food is often considered "good food," as compared to fast-food, so the perception of healthy food choices are also skewed.
Factors Driven by U.S. History
But, there were a couple significant events in American History in the 60s and 70s that created a paradigm shift for many African-Americans that led them to become even fatter. Do you have any idea what those events were? Think about it before you read the next paragraph ... Give up?
In 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed, outlawing major forms of discrimination against blacks and women, including racial segregation. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public.
That led to Affirmative Action policies being implemented to provide equal opportunity employment to blacks and women. These measures are intended to prevent discrimination against employees or applicants for employment, on the basis of "color, religion, sex, or national origin".
This led many African-Americans to receive a better education, an academic scholarship to attend a major university, and obtain a good-paying job with benefits. As a result, African-Americans were moving up into the middle-class, receiving healthcare for the first time in some cases.
Many blacks like my parents had begun moving North tin the 1950s and 1960s to get good-paying blue-collar jobs with the steel mills and automobile manufacturing plants. Many blacks left their farms and rural areas to move into the cities and urban areas.
With better jobs, blacks received free healthcare and were introduced to "free" drugs from their doctors. With more disposable income, blacks were able to buy their own cars. Now they could drive to the various fast foods places instead of prepare a meal from their farm or garden.
Gradually, the eating habits of many blacks changed over time. When I was growing up, we ate a lot of soups, chili, stews, and salads because those meals were inexpensive and easy to make for eight children. Our father had a garden in the backyard, and he loved salads -- lots of onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, spinach. Also, our uncle had a big farm out in the country. So, we were never lacking for fresh vegetables and fruits. We never realized that we were eating superior food! We saw "farm" food as "poor people" food. But, we didn't complain -- unless you wanted to peel yourself off the wall.
Once a month (if we behaved and if we had earned enough money from our chores and neighborhood jobs), we walked 3 miles to visit a McDonald's for a hamburger, fries, and shake. After eating the food, then, we walked back home. By the time we got home, we had burned off the 1200 calories from the fast food meal!
Today, we go to the drive-thru to pick up our meal, and drive back home. Oh, by the way, that same meal is now over 3500 calories!
I remember when one of us kids got the sniffles, our mother would make a concoction of honey, rock candy, black peppers, and some hard liquor. And, the sniffles went away by the next day! Also, our mother gave us a tablespoon of cod liver oil (and sometimes castor oil) a few times a week. We couldn't afford to buy cafeteria food in the school cafeteria, so we carried a brown bag lunch of a peanut-and-butter (or mayo) sandwich, some nuts, and an apple.
I was never sick and never missed a day of school, but, not until I started doing some research did I realize that my good health had something to do with eating farm food!
Growing up I never had a weight problem -- until I stopped playing basketball and tennis in my mid-40s. Everyone else had begun to transition to golf. I never cared for golf -- I recall not being allowed to play on a local golf course because I was black, but that's a story for another day.
Although I had stopped playing ball, I didn't think it was going to be much of a problem. But, over the next several years, I gained a few pounds each year, worked longer hours, and stopped exercising altogether. But, I was still reasonably healthy -- I had just had a complete physical and everything seemed fine. I did have high cholesterol and my doctor put me on Lipitor, 20 mg a day.
Then one morning (in March 2002) when I awoke, I could hardly move. So, I crawled across the bed, reached for the phone and called 911 before I blacked out. The ambulance broke down my front door and took me to the hospital.
When I came out of the coma a couple days later, I uncovered two major myths about diabetes: that my ethnic background, and my family history were two of the major reasons for my diabetes; and, because the endocrinologist implied that my diabetes was hereditary, it appeared that there was very little that I could have done to prevent it.
It also appeared that there was very little that I would be able to do to stop the diabetes from ravaging my body, as major complications had already developed with my eyes, kidneys, cardiovascular system, and both legs.
Because of my background in biochemistry and engineering, it wasn't that difficult to figure out how to get my diabetes under control and eventually wean myself off the insulin and other drugs.
My primary care physician, who had known me for more than 10 years, was very helpful and supportive during my recovery. On the other hand, my endocrinologist was not supportive. He was very egotistical and kept pushing me to increase my insulin dosage, despite the fact that my blood glucose readings were coming down.
This is when I ran into another problem that many African-Americans face -- a prejudicial bias of me having the mental capacity to analyze my blood glucose readings, correlate the data, and reduce my medications accordingly. When I told the endocrinologist what I was doing, he had a smirk on his face, and, said: "I'm the expert here -- I'll decide what you should be doing with your medications. After all, you almost killed yourself so let's not depend on your judgment in these medical matters."
Then, I pulled my laptop out of my briefcase, and showed him my various Excel spreadsheets, blood glucose charts, and PowerPoint flow charts. He was surprised at what I showed him, and said: "Who put this together for you?"
I said: "I did."
The endocrinologist said: "Really? You've only been out of the hospital a few weeks -- how did you put all of this together by yourself? Are you sure your doctor didn't help you?"
I said: "This is what we engineers do for a living -- we collect, record, and analyze data. And, I used that experience to help me get my blood glucose levels under control."
He said: "You can't use what you do on machines and apply it to a human body. I've been dealing with diabetes for 26 years, and trust me when I tell you this is a very complex disease, and you're lucky to be alive. This is no time to play amateur doctor. Leave this to the experts."
He also said: "And, because of your blood clot issues, you almost had a stroke or a pulmonary embolism. You cannot continue to eat broccoli and other green vegetables because of the Vitamin K will counteract the Coumadin, and you'll be putting your life in danger again."
The endocrinologist walked out of the room and refused to look at my charts. When he returned, he gave me strict instructions to increase my insulin and he would talk to my primary care physician about increasing my Coumadin dosage. He refused to look me in the eyes, and motioned to the physician assistant to give me two pamphlets on diabetes and insulin, as he walked out of the room.
Now, maybe this wasn't as much an issue of bias as it was an issue of pride and egotism. Some doctors truly believe they're gods and they carry themselves accordingly, and expect us to bow down and be grateful.
It became very clear that it was up to me to figure this out on my own.
I ran into my next myth about diabetes about 3 months later, when I had successfully reduced my insulin dosage from 60 units 4 shots a day down to 0 units 0 shots a day. According to the medical experts, once you go on insulin, that's it -- you have to take insulin for the rest of your life, or die. In some rare cases, you may be able to go back to taking a pill, but you must take some kind of diabetic medication.
My primary care physician congratulated me on my progress and gave me a copy of my blood work. He also mentioned that the endocrinologist was not happy with me. The endocrinologist said that I would be back on insulin in 3 months.
When I started doing some research into why so many people were becoming diabetic, I came across some astounding statistics that had been put together by the National Institute of Health (NIH). I also came across some shocking statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) that showed that the increase in diabetes was not unique to the United States, and that it was reaching epidemic levels. At that time, there were 15 million diabetics in the U.S. Nine years later, that number has grown to more than 26 million!
When you think about the diabetes issue with African-Americans, most people will say that the primary reason why so many blacks have diabetes is the food. Blacks eat too much animal meat and starchy foods, i.e. bacon, sausage, ham, spareribs, other pork, grits, macaroni 'n cheese, vegetables over-cooked and seasoned with ham-hocks, sweet potato pie, etc.
Yeah, it's obvious that it's the food and not exercising, but you can say that about Caucasian-Americans as well as well as other groups! A lot of people have poor eating habits and don't exercise!
Okay -- then, all we need to do is eat better and exercise! Case closed!
As an engineer who's job it is to solve complex problems, this one was pretty easy to solve. But, as most engineers will attest, coming up with the solution to a problem is pretty easy. But, implementing the solution is entirely different!
And, that's what I discovered during the next part of my journey. It was easy for me to implement my changes because my mother and my daughter did most of the work early on. Then, my managers and engineering staff helped me by hiring a local chef to come in and prepare my meals after my mother and daughter had gone back home.
So, I had a running head-start at eating properly without doing any of the hard work! Most people don't have that luxury! I began to realize the importance of meal planning and preparation.
When I would tell people what I was eating (especially for breakfast), they were shocked. At work, I met other people who were diabetic and struggled with their disease for years. They thought they were eating healthy, but they weren't!
Then, when I started talking to various community groups, churches, and senior citizen groups, I ran into another problem that I didn't experience:having the disposable income to buy more expensive foods such as wild salmon, extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables and fruits, etc. These foods were more expensive than the packaged processed foods and the fast foods.
When I began writing my book, I realized that I needed to address all these areas and more if I was going to develop a successful program for everyone.
I uncovered that there are medical, pharmaceutical, social, economic and political factors at play that drive all groups especially ethnic groups (and senior citizen groups) towards diabetes and other diseases. In addition, I discovered that there were a lot of creative ways to address these medical, pharmaceutical, social, economic and political issues and still improve one's health.
Why Black People Are Droppin' Like Flies
Author's Perspective: Unfortunately, many African-Americans in the United States have bigger worries than eating healthy -- like keeping a job! Given the state of the economy, it's difficult to focus on eating healthy. But, African_Americans still didn't eat healthy when the economy was doing well. So, what's the real issue here?If I could sum it up in one word, I would say that many African-Americans areD.E.A.D. inside. They may be alive physically, but, they're D.E.A.D.emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.
D.E.A.D. stands for:
Denial: Some African-Americans live in denial. They deny that their grandparents, parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other relatives have or had diabetes. They deny that they need to make any lifestyle changes. They deny that diabetes is going to catch up with them.
Ego: Some African-Americans believe that "they're special" and that they won't become diabetic. Others don't believe that someone iin their own race is intelligent enough to help them. This is part of the "self-hate "complex that blacks have about themselves. Of course, blacks deny that this complex exists, but studies indicate otherwise.
Apathy: Some African-Americans give up and accept the fact that there is nothing that they can do to prevent diabetes or successfully fight their diabetes. Others are weak emotionally or lack the emotional support from family and friends. Some are weak-minded and lack the discipline and will power to even want to fight the disease. Others love eating the toxic, fattening fast foods from McDonald's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, etc. Also, it's easier to drive to KFC and pickup some chicken and mash potatoes than it is to steam some vegetables and bake some wild salmon at home. In addition, (on the surface) it appears that KFC is a lot cheaper than wild salmon -- if you exclude the medical costs associated with being diabetic.
Disparities: African-Americans suffer healthwise disproportionately due to racism.
Here are some of the other disparities that affect the health of many African-Americans and other ethnic groups:
- Health insurance
- Healthcare
- Education
- Housing
- Employment
So, what do you believe is driving all of these disparities? ...
Well, it's racism ...
Some African-Americans don't believe that you can successfully fight and reverse this disease. As a result, they don't do the research to find out that thousands of people have actually defeated their diabetes. Others are shocked when their doctor tells them that they're diabetic.
Note: To counteract being D.E.A.D., you have to be A.L.I.V.E. Read the Solution section of this web page for more details.
Why African-Americans Suffer Unnecessarily
In the African-American and Latino-American communities, there is a lack of awareness and interest in health, especially alternative health. That's why it's important to tell people about Mr. McCulley's story -- so that people learn that there is real hope out there.
Currently, the majority of Mr. McCulley's customer base is Caucasian-American, with some international customers from the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and China.
There are many reasons why African-American and Latino-American communities are not aware of Mr. McCulley's story. Some of those reasons include lack of awareness, lack of interest, current lifestyle preferences, lack of awareness about Amazon.com and YouTube, blind trust in Western Medicine, lack of knowledge (about nutrition, science), other life priorities, financial resources, perceptions, and the lack of awareness about ethnic targeting by the food and pharmaceutical companies.
For example, have you noticed the increase in the use of African-Americans in pharmaceutical TV commercials about diabetes and high blood pressure? During the past 20 years, did you notice the increase in the use of hip-hop music in fast-food ads by McDonald's, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken? So, who do you think these 'hip-hop' commercials were targeting? It certainly wasn't Caucasian-Americans!
Then, that "diseased" population of African-Americans and Latino-Americansbecame addicted to OTC and prescription drugs, assuming that these drugs from the "almighty white doctor" would prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney failure, heart attacks, and strokes; and, save their lives.
But, instead, the reliance of these drugs have only led African-American andLatino-American adults to give up their hard-earned money to pay for more of these drugs, hospital stays, unnecessary surgeries, and post-op care. The adults, in turn, have sent a message to their children that "prescription drugs" are acceptable, setting the stage for them to become dependent on these same drugs.
Most people assume that it's the street drugs that represent our biggest threat to our communities and our children, but, in reality, it's the prescriptiondrugs!
Given this lack of awareness, most African-Americans and Latino-Americansare unaware of real alternative medicine that is based on real science. Most African-Americans and Latino-Americans defer to Western Medicine and its drugs; and assumes that most of alternative medicine is a bunch of scams. As a result, African-Americans and Latino-Americans have not educated themselves about the science behind real alternative (natural) medicine.
Now, don't get us wrong -- this is not a race issue. Caucasian-Americans are suffering just as much as African-Americans and Latino-Americans, but they are a little further ahead in understanding that there are other solutions out there that are not drug-focused.
So, if it's not a race issue, then, what is it? Well, it's a business issue, an economic issue. Western Medicine is big business. It's job is to make money by getting us to buy their drugs. And, it's the doctors (who we trust) that have become modern-day drug pushers that far exceed the danger of the street drug pusher.
Why Do So Many African-Americans Have High Blood Pressure?
The key reasons include: poor eating habits, lack of knowledge about superior nutrition, lack of awareness about healthy soul foods, reliance on prescription drugs, and living a stressful life.
Countless studies show that stressful environments and situations raise blood pressure. And few things are as consistently stressful as being black in this country. By almost every measurable social category -- such as income, infant mortality, education, incarceration rates and employment -- blacks fare poorly, making everyday life a constant struggle. Only a buried-head ostrich would say that racial discrimination does not play a role in many African Americans' poor health.
Why Do So Many African-Americans Have High Blood Pressure?
The key reasons include: poor eating habits, lack of knowledge about superior nutrition, lack of awareness about healthy soul foods, reliance on prescription drugs, and living a stressful life.
Countless studies show that stressful environments and situations raise blood pressure. And few things are as consistently stressful as being black in this country. By almost every measurable social category -- such as income, infant mortality, education, incarceration rates and employment -- blacks fare poorly, making everyday life a constant struggle. Only a buried-head ostrich would say that racial discrimination does not play a role in many African Americans' poor health.
The good news is that there are viable solutions out there, including Mr. McCulley's Death to Diabetes wellness program. Although his program is focused on Type 2 diabetes, his wellness program has been used to help non-diabetics with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic fatigue, obesity, kidney health issues, and heart disease.
Please read and listen to some of the thousands of testimonials at:
http://www.deathtodiabetes.com/Book_Reviews_Diabetes.html
Disease Statistics for Black America
Health Conditions: In 2005, the death rate for African Americans was higher than Whites for heart diseases, stroke, cancer, asthma, influenza and pneumonia, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and homicide. Cancer Facts- In 2004, African American men were 1.4 times as likely to have new cases of lung and prostate cancer, compared to non-Hispanic white men.
- African American men were twice as likely to have new cases of stomach cancer as non-Hispanic white men.
- African Americans men had lower 5-year cancer survival rates for lung and pancreatic cancer, compared to non-Hispanic white men.
- In 2005, African American men were 2.4 times as likely to die from prostate cancer, as compared to non-Hispanic white men.
- In 2005, African American women were 10% less likely to have been diagnosed with breast cancer, however, they were 34% more likely to die from breast cancer, compared to non-Hispanic white women.
- African American women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with stomach cancer, and they were 2.4 times as likely to die from stomach cancer, compared to non-Hispanic white women.
- American Cancer Society Cancer Facts and Figures for African Americans 2004-2005
- Blacks have approximately 30 to 40% more cancer and in some cases a 250% higher death rate than Whites).
- Life expectancy for Black men is 68.6 years old compared to 75.0 for White men (6.4 year difference) and Black women are 75.5 versus 80.2 for White women (4.7 Year Difference) This is a "six year discrepancy" for men and almost a "five year discrepancy" for women.
- African American adults were 1.9 times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to have been diagnosed with diabetes by a physician.
- In 2002, African American men were 2.1 times as likely to start treatment for end-stage renal disease related to diabetes, compared to non-Hispanic white men.
- In 2003, diabetic African Americans were 1.7 times as likely as diabetic Whites to be hospitalized.
- In 2005, African Americans were 2.2 times as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to die from diabetes.
- In 2005, African American men were 30% more likely to die from heart disease, as compared to non-Hispanic white men.
- African Americans were 1.4 times as likely as non-Hispanic whites to have high blood pressure.
- African American women are 1.7 times as likely as non-Hispanic white women to be obese.
- Although African Americans make up only 13% of the total U.S. population, they accounted for 47% of HIV/AIDS cases in 2006.
- African American males had more than 7 times the AIDS rate of non-Hispanic white males.
- African American females had more than 21 times the AIDS rate of non-Hispanic white females.
- African American men were more than 9 times as likely to die from HIV/AIDS as non-Hispanic white men.
- African American women were more than 20 times as likely to die from HIV/AIDS as non-Hispanic white women.
- In 2005, African Americans aged 65 and older were 40% less likely to have received the influenza (flu) shot in the past 12 months, compared to non-Hispanic whites of the same age group.
- In 2005, African American adults aged 65 and older were 30% less likely to have ever received the pneumonia shot, compared to non-Hispanic white adults of the same age group.
- Although African American children aged 19 to 35 months had comparable rates of immunization for hepatitis, influenza, MMR, and polio, they were slightly less likely to be fully immunized, when compared to non-Hispanic white children.
- For more statistics on African Americans and immunization, please click here
- Infant Mortality Facts
- In 2005, African Americans had 2.3 times the infant mortality rate of non-Hispanic whites.
- African American infants were almost four times as likely to die from causes related to low birth weight, compared to non-Hispanic white infants.
- African Americans had 1.8 times the sudden infant death syndrome mortality rate as non-Hispanic whites.
- African American mothers were 2.6 times as likely as non-Hispanic white mothers to begin prenatal care in the 3rd trimester, or not receive prenatal care at all.
- The infant mortality rate for African American mothers with over 13 years of education was almost three times that of Non-Hispanic White mothers in 2004.
- African American adults are twice as likely than their White adult counterparts to have a stroke.
- African American males were 60% more likely to die from a stroke than their White adult counterparts.
- Analysis from a CDC health interview survey reveals that African American stroke survivors were more likely to become disabled and have difficulty with activities of daily living than their non-Hispanic white counterparts.
Most black people are familiar with the phrase DWB – Driving While Black. I have a new phrase that uses the same letters: Dying While Black.
At almost every income level, African-Americans are sicker than whites and dying at a significantly higher rate. Black men live on average 9 years less than white men. Black men have shorter live spans than men in Chile, Barbados, Bahamas or Jamaica. Black women live on average years 6 less than white women. Black women have shorter live spans than women in Barbados, Panama, Bosnia and the Bahamas. Infant mortality rates are 2 times higher for blacks. A racist commented that African Americans should be grateful for being in the United States, yet, African-Americans have more low-birth weight infants than women in Rwanda, Ghana and Uganda.
Social factors more than any other type of factors fuels the inequality of health statusbetween Blacks and Whites in the United States. These social factors include: wealth/income, education, physical environment, healthcare, housing employment, stress and racism/discrimination. In fact, racism is so dominant a factor, that middle class blacks have poorer health than some less well-off whites due to the stress of living in a racist discriminatory society.
Chris Rock, the black comedian, once said: “Once I became successful, I asked a homeless white man if he wanted to be me --rich and black. The white person said: “No thanks, I think I’ve got a good thing going here (being white).”
Of course, using racism as an excuse only creates a vicious cycle of apathy and self-victimization. There are too many examples of blacks who have overcome the challenges and barriers despite the odds of growing up poor in an economically-drained community. I believe these challenges can make you or break you. What’s that saying? “Whatever doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.”
Luckily for me and my brothers and sisters, we had strong parents who didn’t accept failure. My father told us: “You have 2 choices – to be a victim or a victor – it’s up to you. But, since you’re livin’ rent-free under my roof, you only have one choice – you will go to school and get A’s and B’s – you will be victors in this society, even if it kills you.”
Many blacks experience some form of passive racism when they visit the doctor or the hospital. It’s not that doctors and nurses are bad people. In fact, they are good people who helped to save my life. In fact, I wrote a letter to the personnel department of the hospital thanking the doctors and especially one of the nurses for saving my life.
However, during my visit to the endocrinologist, the endocrinologist assumed that I didn’t understand anything about diabetes and blood glucose testing, and so he talked down to me. When I tried to show the endocrinologist the analysis I had done with my blood glucose data, the doctor pooh-poohed me, and told me that I didn’t have the necessary knowledge to reduce my insulin dosage.
Three months later, I had reduced my insulin shots from 4 a day to 1 a day, and then eventually to no shots. But, instead of being happy for me, the doctor was angry. Why? It wasn’t racism – it had more to do with money – the fact that the doctor wouldn’t be able to make any more money pushing his drugs onto me.
When I was growing up, I received a lot of support from various white people including teachers and other professionals. As a result, I believe that although racism exists, you can overcome it via hard work. In fact, my father told us to accept the fact that although racism exists, he would not allow his sons to use it as an excuse for not getting A’s and B’s in school. My father told himme: “Son, you will just have to work harder, smarter and longer than the other kids. That’s just the way it is.” My father worked 3 jobs, so I had a strong work ethic that my father had passed down to us children.
Ironically, that strong work ethic from my father helped me deal with my diabetes, and realize that I had to work harder, smarter and longer if I wanted to defeat this disease – and, I did, thanks to my wise father.
Culture
One of the keys to understanding “Why Black People Are Droppin’ Like Flies” requires us to understand their ancestry and culture.
Because health care is a cultural construct, arising from beliefs about the nature of disease and the human body, cultural issues are actually central in the delivery of health services treatment and preventive interventions. By understanding, valuing, and incorporating the cultural differences of America's diverse population and examining one's own health-related values and beliefs, health care organizations, practitioners, and others can support a health care system that responds appropriately to, and directly serves the unique needs of populations whose cultures may be different from the prevailing culture.
African American culture in the United States refers to the cultural contributions of African ethnic groups to the culture of the United States, either as part of or distinct from American culture. The distinct identity of African American culture is rooted in the historical experience of the African American people, including the Middle Passage, and thus the culture retains a distinct identity while at the same time it is enormously influential to American culture as a whole.
African American culture is rooted in Africa and is a blend of chiefly sub-Saharan African and Sahelean cultures. Although slavery greatly restricted the ability of Africans in America to practice their cultural traditions, many practices, values, and beliefs survived and over time have modified or blended with European American culture. There are even some facets of African American culture that were accentuated by the slavery period. The result is a dynamic culture that has had and continues to have a profound impact on mainstream American culture, as well as the culture of the broader world.
Though southern food is typically known as "soul food" many African Americans contend that soul food consists of African-American recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, just like other African-American rituals. The legacy of African and West Indian culture is imbued in many of the recipes and food traditions that remain popular today. The staple foods of African Americans, such as rice, have remained largely unchanged since the first Africans and West Indians set foot in the New World, and the southern United States, where the slave population was most dense, has developed a cooking culture that remains true to the African-American tradition. This cooking is aptly named southern cooking, the food, or soul food.
Over the years, many have interpreted the term soul food based on current social issues facing the African-American population, such as the civil rights movement. Many civil rights advocates believe that using this word perpetuates a negative connection between African Americans and slavery. However, as Doris Witt notes in her book Black Hunger (1999), the "soul" of the food refers loosely to the food's origins in Africa.
In his 1962 essay "Soul Food," Amiri Baraka makes a clear distinction between southern cooking and soul food. To Baraka, soul food includes chitterlings (pronounced chitlins), pork chops, fried porgies, potlikker, turnips, watermelon, black-eyed peas, grits, hoppin' John, hushpuppies, okra, and pancakes. Today, many of these foods are limited among African Americans to holidays and special occasions. Southern food, on the other hand, includes only fried chicken, sweet potato pie, collard greens, and barbecue, according to Baraka. The idea of what soul food is seems to differ greatly among African Americans.
General Dietary InfluencesIn 1992 it was reported that there is little difference between the type of foods eaten by whites and African Americans. There have, however, been large changes in the overall quality of the diet of African Americans since the 1960s – which has fueled the increase in cancer rates and the diabetes epidemic in African-Americans. In 1965, African Americans were more than twice as likely as whites to eat a diet that met the recommended guidelines for fat, fiber, and fruit and vegetable intakes.
By 1996, however, 28 percent of African-Americans were reported to have a poor-quality diet, compared to 16 percent of whites, and 14 percent of other racial groups. The diet of African Americans is particularly poor for children two to ten years old, for older adults, and for those from a low socioeconomic background. Of all racial groups, African Americans have the most difficulty in eating diets that are low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This represents an immense change in diet quality. Some explanations for this include: (1) the greater market availability of packaged and processed foods; (2) the high cost of fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean cuts of meat; (3) the common practice of frying food and using fats in cooking; and (4) lack of knowledge about real nutrition.
Compared to Caucasians, African-Americans have 1.8 times the rate of fatal stroke, 1.5 times the risk of fatal heart disease, and 4.2 times the rates of end-stage kidney disease. In general, about 34% percent of African American men and women have hypertension; it may account for over 40% of all deaths in this group.
African-Americans have a higher risk for an impaired response to angiotensin (AngII), which is a peptide important in regulating salt and water balances. African-Americans are more likely to be salt-sensitive than other groups.
Social and income disparities and dietary issues may explain many of the differences in blood pressure rates observed between ethnic groups. For example, while African Americans have a disproportionately high rate of hypertension, one study in rural African villages, where diets are rich in fish, reported only a 3% rate of high blood pressure among inhabitants.” (Hypertension Health Information-NY Times Health)
Researchers suggest that African Americans and recent African immigrants to America have inherited a “thrifty gene” from their African ancestors. Years ago, this gene enabled Africans, during “feast and famine” cycles, to use food energy more efficiently when food was scarce. Today, with fewer “feast and famine” cycles, the thrifty gene that developed for survival may instead make weight control more difficult. This genetic predisposition, along with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), often occurs together with the generic tendency toward high blood pressure.” (Diabetes and African-Americans)
Just as important, African-Americans and other cultures have been falsely led by the medical profession to believe that their Type 2 diabetes is hereditary. This is far from the truth. This is dangerous thinking because some African-Americans “give up” because they believe that they can’t defeat a disease that’s “in their blood”.
In addition, despite the fact that African-Americans were mistreated by the medical profession (e.g. Tuskegee syphilis experiment, 1932-1972), a large majority of African-Americans have a strong (false) belief in the medical profession and their drugs. Not to make excuses, but many African-Americans do not have the “luxury” to make better choices about their food, when they have to overcome the reality that they are not welcomed by a country that became rich, benefiting from the centuries of free labor via slavery. Also, many African-Americans are more concerned about getting a job, keeping a job, overcoming their environment, and not getting shot in their neighborhood. Eating healthy is just not seen as a major priority.
The exploitation of African-Americans in medical education and research included the use of black bodies in anatomical dissection, the medical care of slaves, the surgical experiments on slaves, and government-sponsored radiation experiments after World War II using unwitting African-Americans as guinea pigs. And, don’t forget about the notorious Tuskegee Syphilis Study, in which about 600 black men with syphilis were left untreated by the U.S. Public Health Service in an effort to study the pathology of the disease.
However, it would be remiss on my part if I did not point out that the ethical problems in medical research pertain not to race alone but to the power relations of scientific medicine. For centuries the urban poor have been exploited as "teaching material" in the great hospitals of every Western country. In America since the later 19th century, similar stories could be told about immigrants, Catholics, Jews, and others who habituated the charity wards of US teaching hospitals. Medical research has always tended to take advantage of the powerless and voiceless, whoever they might be.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, when racism in the United States was at its most intense, numerous episodes of flagrant maltreatment occurred. After World War II, as racism began to ebb, the worst of these abuses ended. However, African-Americans continued to be over-represented in clinical trials relative to their percentage of the general population. This largely reflected the fact that academic medical centers drew most of their “clinical material” from their immediate geographic surroundings -- areas that were often heavily black in demographic composition.
Today, many African-Americans do not have a good relationship with Western Medicine for various reasons including insufficient healthcare, language barriers, and negative perceptions. During the 1900s-1960s, African-Americans did not have the types of jobs where the company paid for their healthcare. As a result, many African-Americans could not afford to go to the doctor, and relied upon their great grandmother or other older relative to provide herb mixtures and other concoctions. However, after the civil rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s, more African-Americans acquired jobs working in Corporate America. As a result, more African-Americans obtain healthcare insurance and now could afford to visit the doctor.
Ironically, this didn’t really help to improve the health of African-Americans. Instead, they relied upon the knowledge of the doctor and trusted the doctor, who “pushed” a lot of drugs onto the African-American families. During the next 30 years, African-Americans gradually became one of the top consumers of OTC and prescription drugs. Coincidentally, during that same time frame, the overall health of African-Americans deteriorated and the number of deaths associated with heart disease, cancer, and diabetes increased dramatically.
During that same time, the medical industry worked hand-in-hand with the pharmaceutical companies to increase their revenue and profits tremendously, such that the pharmaceutical industry has become a trillion-dollar revenue-making industry.
Despite the terrible history that African-Americans have had with Western Medicine, most African-Americans believe that drugs really work and believe that the drugs give them the freedom to eat poorly – without realizing that the drugs actually contribute to their poor health. This misperception is reinforced by the doctor who plays the “blame game” and implies that your disease is due to your family genes, your diet, your lifestyle, and your age. Although this is true to some degree, for the most part, these are excuses that transfer the blame from the doctor to the patient. There’s nothing wrong with that – as long as the patient realizes that they are responsible for their health, not their doctor.
Now, doctors are good people – they do the best they can, but the reality is that doctors are trained to push the drugs, and we as patients gladly accept the drugs. Western Medicine is a business, not a service, which is designed to generate massive profits – for the doctors and the pharmaceutical companies – at the expense of the patient’s health. Unfortunately, this is not going to change – until the patient gets smarter and realizes that he must reject the drugs and find alternative solutions.
Compared to Caucasian-Americans, African-Americans experience higher rates of diabetes complications such as eye disease, kidney failure and amputations. Some factors that influence these complications are lack of knowledge, apathy, the false belief in Western Medicine's drugs, high blood pressure, cigarettes smoking and a lack of exercise. It is unfortunate that so many diabetics, particularly African-Americans do not eat better or exercise. In the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) survey, "Fifty percent of African American men and sixty-seven percent of African American women reported that they participated in little to no leisure time physical activity." There is obviously still a sense of apathy in many Americans, particularly African Americans when it comes to caring for diabetes.
- When a person doesn’t feel well, he goes to the drugstore to get an OTC drug to relieve the discomfort.
- When that stops working, he goes to the doctor, who prescribes a drug for the problem.
- When that stops working, the doctor increases the dosage of the prescribed drug, or the doctor prescribes a stronger drug, a new drug, or a combination of drugs.
- When that doesn’t work or stops working, the doctor recommends some extreme drug therapy or surgery.
Regardless of your race or culture, we can all agree that healthcare costs are rising, and will continue to rise because Western Medicine is “a big business”, not a service for the American public. And, the sooner the public realizes this, the sooner they’ll realize that the state of their health should be in their control, not the control of the healthcare system.
We attribute this to several factors. Of course, our findings do not apply to all African-Americans, and these reasons are not associated with just African-Americans. Other ethnic cultures suffer similar isolation issues.
1. Many African-Americans are nutrient-deficient, making them more susceptible to diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers. For example, African-Americans do not eat lean protein foods such as nuts, seed, and wild salmon, and are therefore deficient in Omega-3 EFAs. African-Americans eat more nutrient-poor fast foods than other ethnic groups, consuming excess animal fat and refined carbohydrates. Also, African-Americans do not get enough exposure to the sun, and consequently are Vitamin D deficient.
2. Some African-Americans will spend money for cosmetics, hair products and going to the beauty salon, but they are not as willing to spend money for their health, e.g. health book, health coaching appointments, health plan, health seminar, diabetes workshop.
3. Some African-Americans will spend money for the doctors and their drugs, but not for health-related products or services.
4. Some African-Americans are more concerned (and rightly so) about having enough money to buy any kind of food, let alone "healthy" food.
5. Some African-Americans are struggling just to stay alive --eating healthy is not a priority. "Eating healthy" is seen as a luxury, not something that is mandatory.
6. African-Americans struggle with bigger problems than "health" -- not realizing that good Health and Wealth are connected.
7. African-Americans have to deal with various social "isms" and overcome other struggles that majority Caucasian-Americans don't have to deal with on a daily basis, e.g. racism, elitism.
8. Some African-Americans do not believe that they are worthy and intelligent. due to racism and other "isms" in our society. They are unaware of their rich heritage and their powerful history. Did you know that some of the original mathematicians and engineers were of African heritage?
9. More than 97% of African-American homes have a TV, but less than 15% own a computer, creating an "isolation" phenomena.
10. Some African-Americans have a very strong belief in their doctors and their drugs -- despite the abuse of African-Americans by the medical profession in the 1900s and 1940s, and the biases of the healthcare system.
11. Some African-Americans don't have the disposable income to buy health-related and nutrition-based books.
12. Some African-Americans no longer leverage the power of the black church -- as they did in the past. For example, it was the black church that educated blacks when it was against the law for blacks to read or go to school.
13. Some African-American churches and pastors ignore the sections of the Bible that discuss nutrition. Ironically, many of the church leaders (as well as the congregation) struggle with health issues, many of which are directly connected to poor eating habits.
14. Some African-Americans tend to have a strong faith and belief in God, but when they get sick, they along with their pastors and church leaders choose the man-made drugs over God's foods!
15. African-American homogeneous groups (i.e. black fraternities, sororities, clubs, churches) tend to sponsor mostly entertainment-type events such as concerts, shows, parties, etc. and demonstrate very little interest in health-related events.
16. African-Americans are unaware of the manipulation by the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Kidney Foundation, and other health organizations to use free health fairs to infiltrate black churches starting in the mid-1980s. Many of these free health fairs were sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies, who paid these organizations to infiltrate the black churches with a "trojan horse". As a result, a larger percentage of African-Americans take medications today.
17. African-Americans are unaware of how to enjoy their favorite ethnic foods. Most dietitians have told African-Americans that they can't eat fried chicken, bacon, grits, etc. This has led African-Americans to ignore good eating habits because most of these diet programs do not embrace ethnic foods. However, during the past several years since Mr. McCulley gave his talk at Aenon Baptist Church, he has done the research to figure out how African-Americans can enjoy their favorite foods (by transforming them into healthier foods!).
Note: Some of these statements are controversial and may upset some people, but the bottom line is that the CDC and NIH health statistics show that African-Americans (and other etnic groups) are dying faster than they should be dying. In the end, it will be their responsibility to change the way the eat and live -- if they want their children to have a higher quality of life and to live longer than their parents.
The Solution: An Action Plan for African Americans
Solution No. 1: To counteract being D.E.A.D., African-Americans must becomeA.L.I.V.E.A.L.I.V.E. stands for the following:
Affirmative Action policies need to be implemented to overcome racism and provide equal opportunity employment to blacks and women. These measures are intended to prevent discrimination against employees or applicants for employment, on the basis of "color, religion, sex, or national origin".
Active: African-Americans must become moreactive, and exercise on a consistent basis. Being active means more than just exercising for 30 minutes a day!
Being active is a mindset, where you look for creative ways to move, i.e. walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator; walking on your treadmill or using your elliptical machine while watching TV or talking on the phone; shoveling the driveway, mowing the lawn, gardening. African-Americans must also "accept" the fact that they have a serious problem (diabetes) -- becausethat's the first step in solving a problem: recognizing that you have a real serious problem -- not "just a little sugar problem".
Live Foods: African-Americans must eat more "live" foods and a lot less "dead" foods in order to fight the diabetes, obesity, or other illness. "Live" foods include vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, plant oils, whole grains, and filtered water.
Intelligent: African-Americans must become more intelligent by taking classes and doing their own research on nutrition, disease, and drugs. A good way to start the education process is to get several books on diabetes, wellness, and nutrition, including the book Death to Diabetes. Once they acquire the knowledge, they won't give up and they'll realize that there is something that they can do to prevent diabetes or successfully reverse their diabetes. ln addition, they must invest the time and be insistent with their family and doctor that they really want to change.
Visionary: African-Americans must be visionary and see beyond just today, and realize that a long-term commitment to a healthy lifestyle will provide many rewards in the future. It will also send a positive message to the children, who learn their (good and bad) habits from their parents. They must also be vigorous with lots of energy to improve their health.
Enthusiastic and Energetic: African-Americans must be enthusiastic andenergetic, and have a lot of emotion and passion associated with the changes in their lifestyle. They must also have a certain amount of positive ego with confidence, and commitment to be strong enough to fight the establishment and the doctors, who will continue to push their drugs.
Solution No. 2: There are 11 key areas that African-Americans (and other ethnic groups) need to address to improve their overall health:
- Low Employment
- Lack of Education
- Poor Environment
- Lack of Healthcare Insurance
- Lack of Family Wealth
- Eating Habits
- Lifestyle
- Lack of Computers/Technology
- Religious Beliefs
- Marketing Scams/Targeting
- Racism/Prejudicial Perceptions
Note: Many of these areas is addressed in Mr. McCulley's book "Death to Diabetes".
Note: Read this web page to understand why African-Americans remain poor.
For more specific information about possible solutions to improve the health of African-Americans and other ethnic cultures, get the ebook PDF titled "Why Black People Are Droppin' Like Flies" from our online store.
This 120-page ebook PDF explains the key reasons behind the dramatic health decline of African-Americans in the U.S, and "why black people are droppin' like flies". It also explains the history and social/economic/racial impacts that affect the health of many African-Africans, and how to overcome these "isms".
Key sections include: black culture, profile of African-Americans, food and culture, disease statistics for black men and black women, history of "soul foods", why blacks reject conventional diets, the "isolation" of blacks, top challenges, how to stop the madness, and action plans for blacks to improve their health and the health of their family, and future generations -- by overcoming the financial, social, and economic barriers.
Note: Although this ebook focuses on the African-American culture, these health issues apply to the other ethnic groups in the United States. As a result, there are other sections in the ebook about Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Indians and their foods.
Note: The good news is that you slow down your own dying (or the dying of a loved one) by reading this web page, and start taking action today or first thing tomorrow.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Note: The good news is that you slow down your own dying (or the dying of a loved one) by reading this web page, and start taking action today or first thing tomorrow.
If you want to grow financially even if you lack the funds to get started, you should read the following web pages. Each year during the past several years, several clients have started their own health business with our help.
Slave-ship Hypothesis of Hypertension in Blacks
A hypothesis by Clarence E. Grim of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science states that conditions on slave ships traversing the Atlantic Ocean during a 350-year period beginning in the 16th century may be responsible for the increased prevalence of high blood pressure among blacks in the United States.
Drew is perhaps best known for its medical school designed to train physicians interested in working in urban environments, and founded in the response to the 1965 Watts riots to train minority doctors who would serve the poor of the South Los Angeles area.
After studying rates of hypertension among blacks on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as historical data about the slave trade, Grim concludes that voyages on the ships could have resulted in "survival of the fittest," with those better able to retain salt more likely to live through the lack of food and water and the dehydrating seasickness. This more efficient use of salt, however, has subsequently caused problems among slave descendants with salt-rich diets, suggests Grim.
The unproven hypothesis depends partly on the complicated question about which factors influence a person's high blood pressure. Studies conducted by various groups on twins and adopted children indicate that blood pressure is largely set by genetics -- data that Grim calls "very powerful evidence that your blood pressure is set by something other than your environment."
He says his earlier studies among blacks in Indiana also showed that blood pressure levels and the ability to excrete sodium are "strongly inherited." For example, when black patients were given salt, they had a faster rise in blood pressure at a lower level of salt than did white patients. On the basis of these results and his ongoing study of black twins in the Los Angeles area, Grim concludes that 60 to 80 percent of the variability in blood pressure seen among individuals is related to heritable.
Grim's conclusions conflict with other theories that higher blood pressure among U.S. blacks is primarily caused by stress, or that their African ancestors retained more salt and water in order to survive hot, humid weather. But Grim says several comparisons show that blacks in the United States, Jamaica and Belize have consistently higher blood pressure than those in Africa, indicating changes occurred after slaves were removed from Africa. He also discounts the possibility that living conditions after the slaves were sold would be a major evolutionary factor, saying such conditions were too inconsistent to account for such widespread hypertension.
In order to prove his hypothesis, Grim says he will expand his studies to include African blacks matched with U.S. blacks on the basis of economics, education and other characteristics. Also included will be studies of blood pressure patterns among black families whose ancestors arrived after the slave period. Among the health benefits of confirming that high blood pressure is an inherited condition among blacks could be the identification of a genetic marker, says Grim. He suggests that such a marker should alert physicians and lead to earlier changes in diet as a preventive measure.
Blacks with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14% vs. 37% for Whites, 50% for Asian-Americans, and 10% for Latinos
Poverty rate: 28% vs. 12% for U.S.
Lacking health insurance: 21% vs. 15% for U.S.
Home ownership: 44% vs. 69% for U.S.
Black-owned businesses: 1.9 million
Revenue from black-owned businesses: $137 billion
Author's Note: Refer to the following web pages for information about knowledge, wealth, success, purpose in life, and starting a small business:
Knowledge is Power
Wealth & Health Connection
Purpose in Life
What is Success
References
Other References
Drew is perhaps best known for its medical school designed to train physicians interested in working in urban environments, and founded in the response to the 1965 Watts riots to train minority doctors who would serve the poor of the South Los Angeles area.
After studying rates of hypertension among blacks on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as historical data about the slave trade, Grim concludes that voyages on the ships could have resulted in "survival of the fittest," with those better able to retain salt more likely to live through the lack of food and water and the dehydrating seasickness. This more efficient use of salt, however, has subsequently caused problems among slave descendants with salt-rich diets, suggests Grim.
The unproven hypothesis depends partly on the complicated question about which factors influence a person's high blood pressure. Studies conducted by various groups on twins and adopted children indicate that blood pressure is largely set by genetics -- data that Grim calls "very powerful evidence that your blood pressure is set by something other than your environment."
He says his earlier studies among blacks in Indiana also showed that blood pressure levels and the ability to excrete sodium are "strongly inherited." For example, when black patients were given salt, they had a faster rise in blood pressure at a lower level of salt than did white patients. On the basis of these results and his ongoing study of black twins in the Los Angeles area, Grim concludes that 60 to 80 percent of the variability in blood pressure seen among individuals is related to heritable.
Grim's conclusions conflict with other theories that higher blood pressure among U.S. blacks is primarily caused by stress, or that their African ancestors retained more salt and water in order to survive hot, humid weather. But Grim says several comparisons show that blacks in the United States, Jamaica and Belize have consistently higher blood pressure than those in Africa, indicating changes occurred after slaves were removed from Africa. He also discounts the possibility that living conditions after the slaves were sold would be a major evolutionary factor, saying such conditions were too inconsistent to account for such widespread hypertension.
In order to prove his hypothesis, Grim says he will expand his studies to include African blacks matched with U.S. blacks on the basis of economics, education and other characteristics. Also included will be studies of blood pressure patterns among black families whose ancestors arrived after the slave period. Among the health benefits of confirming that high blood pressure is an inherited condition among blacks could be the identification of a genetic marker, says Grim. He suggests that such a marker should alert physicians and lead to earlier changes in diet as a preventive measure.
Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau for African-Americans:
Annual median income: $33,000 vs. $51,000 for U.S.Blacks with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14% vs. 37% for Whites, 50% for Asian-Americans, and 10% for Latinos
Poverty rate: 28% vs. 12% for U.S.
Lacking health insurance: 21% vs. 15% for U.S.
Home ownership: 44% vs. 69% for U.S.
Black-owned businesses: 1.9 million
Revenue from black-owned businesses: $137 billion
Author's Note: Refer to the following web pages for information about knowledge, wealth, success, purpose in life, and starting a small business:
Knowledge is Power
Wealth & Health Connection
Purpose in Life
What is Success
References
- ^ "Transcript from the JFK library". the JFK library.. 1963-06-11.http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/Speeches/JFK/003POF03CivilRights06111963.htm. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ Civil Rights Act Passes in the House ~ Civil Rights Movement Veterans
- ^ Reeves, Richard (1993), President Kennedy: Profile of Power, pp. 628-631
- ^ 1963 Year In Review - Part 1: Transition to Johnson
- ^ Cone, James H. (1991). Martin & Malcolm & America: A Dream or a Nightmare. p. 2.ISBN 0-88344-721-5.
- ^ "Major Features of the Civil Rights Act of 1964". Congresslink.org.http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_histmats_civilrights64text.htm. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Civil Rights Act of 1964". Spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk.http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAcivil64.htm. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. (1993). "The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.". N Engl J Med. 1993 Sep 30;329(14):977-86 329 (14): 977. doi:10.1056/NEJM199309303291401. PMID 8366922.http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/329/14/977. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ Diabetes Trials Unit. Oxford University. United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study
- ^ Implications of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. American Diabetes Association Diabetes 42: 1555-1558.
- ^ Lipids Online
- ^ Complications of Diabetes
- ^ Butterfield, Deb; "The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial: What Did It Really Tell Us?"Insulin-Free TIMES, Spring 1998.
- ^ "DCCT and EDIC: The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and Follow-up Study".National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. 2008-05. Archived from the original on 2007-10-18.http://web.archive.org/web/20071018034602/http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/control/. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
- Harris MI, Flegal KM, Cowie CC, et al. Prevalence of Diabetes, Impaired Fasting Glucose, and Impaired Glucose Tolerance in U.S. Adults: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-94. Diabetes Care Vol. 21, p. 518-524, 1998.
- Tull ES, Roseman JM. Diabetes in African Americans. Chapter 31 in Diabetes in America. 2nd Edition (NIH Publication No. 95-1468, pp. 613-630). Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 1995 (http://diabetes-in-america.s-3.com).
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Other References
- National Diabetes Statistics: Data Sources, References, and Methods for Estimates of Diabetes
- www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm
- www.cdc.gov/diabetes/
- http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/
- http://www.diabetes.org/DiabetesStatistics
- http://wiki.medpedia.com/Diabetes_Statistics
- http://www.americanheart.org/
