Another World AIDS has come and gone, and the statistics, especially for the Black community, remain grim. According to the latest info available from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health, racial and ethnic minorities accounted for almost 68 percent of the newly diagnosed cases of HIV and AIDS in 2007. In 2007, 88 percent of babies born with HIV/AIDS belong to minority groups. EDUCATION THEATRE— Members of Education Theatre Co., from left: Back row: Burt Davis (manager), Michelle Pietersen and Ralston Oliphant and front: Christy-Ann Julies, Hilton Andries, Vicky Davis (playwright), Percy Speelman, Olivia Adams and Prof Jimmie Earl Perry. In the African-American community, HIV/AIDS continues to be an epidemic. African-Americans accounted for 49 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in 2007. African-American men are more than nine times more likely to die of AIDS than non-Hispanic White men. AIDS is the third leading cause of death in African-American women aged 35-44 and the third leading cause of death in African-American men, aged 35-44, in 2006.
When Hannah Webb came up with the idea of having a fashion show to help with breast cancer research, she never dreamed she’d be holding the show for five years but she held her fifth show in recently and is in the process of planning the sixth. “I never thought we’d be having fashion shows this long,” said Webb, owner of Selections by Genea & Eric, a one-of-a kind clothing boutique in Clairton. GENEA WEBB, RICHARD WEBB, HANNAH WEBB Webb came up with the idea to give annual fashion shows in 2004 after her sister and mother-in-law died from the disease. When she was diagnosed with the disease right before holding the second show, she almost gave up the idea of having the shows.
WASHINGTON (AP)—Two House Democrats who favor a government insurance plan, a central element of health care legislation passed in their chamber, acknowledged Sunday it might have to be sacrificed as negotiators work out a final agreement with the Senate.Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House and one who had appealed to President Barack Obama not to yield on the public plan, set out conditions for yielding himself. REP. JAMES CLYBURN
If Congress wishes to control costs in health care, they must put the obesity epidemic at the top of the agenda. Why? Because as much of a problem as obesity is today—believe it or not, it is going to get worse—and we will all be paying more for it. A new study by the UnitedHealth Foundation, American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention in conjunction with their annual America’s Health Rankings report shows us what the world will look like a decade from now if current trends continue. The study, which was based on my research, finds that:
UPMC presented its Eighth Annual Pittsburgh Kidney Walk last month. More than 1,500 kidney transplant recipients and donors, transplant advocates, hospital representatives and members of the community attended the National Kidney Foundation’s event. The walk featured live music and special appearances by Pittsburgh mascots at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, One in nine U.S. adults has kidney disease, and most don’t even know it. Kidney disease may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders and increases the risk of heart disease.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation website, www.nationalbreastcancer.org, it is estimated that more than 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and more than 40,000 will die. Out of those 40,000 women, most are likely to be African-American women. The National Women’s Health Information Center of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health website, www.womenshealth.gov, says African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer because tumors are found later and in more advanced stages, so there are fewer treatment options. HELPING THE FIGHT— Participants from the 2009 Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure. The race raises funds to fight breast cancer. With information like this, it is easy to see why some find the suggested breast cancer guideline recommendations released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a little alarming.
by Nicole BerryFor New Pittsburgh Courier You went to see your doctor and what you thought was a normal visit turned into receiving a diagnosis of diabetes. Your doctor tells you that your body is not producing enough insulin which is required to convert food into energy. As a result, you have to change your eating habits by eliminating some of your favorite dishes. Exercise should now become a part of your daily routine. You feel alone and unsure of what this all means! As you leave your doctor’s office with pamphlets explaining your condition and advice on how to manage your diabetes, you wonder how you are going to get through this new illness that has seemingly interrupted your life.
Responding to studies showing that one out of every 13 children in school has asthma, McAuley Ministries, the grantmaking arm of the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, has announced a $150,000 grant over three years to Healthy Home Resources to improve the health of low-income asthmatic children. The amount is part of nine grants totaling $1,192,540 awarded to address the health and wellness, community development, educational achievement and capacity needs of non-profits in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Uptown and West Oakland neighborhoods.
Heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than 450,000 women each year in the country. Sixty-five women a day die of heart disease or stroke in Pennsylvania alone. The greatest health threat to women of all ethnic backgrounds are heart disease or stroke and 21 percent of the women are not even aware of these statistics. BREAKFAST SPEAKERS—Dr. Jeannette South-Paul, Angela Ford and Linda Cawthon Griffon at the AHA Go Red For Women Executive Breakfast.
