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Opinion

Blacks should be concerned for health

Lashic Patterson
Opinion Columnist  

America has lost two black princes this month. 

Ed Bradley, an African-American journalist and television reporter, passed away Nov. 9 from chronic lymphocytic leukemia. 

He was known for his award-winning work on CBS and for breaking down barriers for African-American journalists by becoming one of the first to gain success and prominence in network news. 

Gerald Levert, an African American r&b singer, songwriter and producer, died on Nov. 10 at age 40 from a heart attack. 

Levert was from a musical family, which includes his father Eddie Levert, the lead singer of the soul group The O'Jays. He wrote and produced for people such as Luther Vandros, Patti LaBelle and countless others who shared his musical genius. 

These sudden deaths have led many African-Americans to question their state of health.

Many black lives are being lost to diseases that if detected at early stages can be contained or prevented. 

The top three leading causes of deaths for African-Americans are heart disease, cancer and strokes, which are followed by diabetes, pneumonia, influenza and respiratory disease, according to Netwellness.org, a health and wellness Web site. 

African-Americans poor health can be attributed to the lack of poor health care and affordable health insurance. However, blacks should hold themselves accountable. They should take a proactive approach before complications begin.

African-American physicians like Dr. Ancel Rogers and Dr. V. Diane Woods said that blacks need to take control of their health by getting routine physical checkups, becoming more aware of different tests and treatments and changing doctors if their doctors are not acting in their best interest.

Rich and Karla Walker, a husband and wife team, are health experts who have started and own an establishment geared towards better health called Inner Excellence LLC. 

They said that limiting one's sodium and sugar intake, limiting alcohol use, ending tobacco and drug use, drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing red and processed meat intake and exercising regularly are ways to achieve and maintain good health. 

While the health of blacks in America is poor, many people in the United States have a common problem: being overweight or obese. 

One should keep in mind that excess fat is detrimental to a person's health. 

It is always sad to hear someone pass away from health complications and even sadder when they die at such a young age from health complications that could have been prevented.

Send comments to dccampus@mail.uh.edu