Your overall health is determined by a complex combination of your lifestyle, environment, and genetics. Oftentimes, your family’s health history and background provide subtle clues as to which conditions you may be most susceptible to. Depending on your ethnicity, you may even face an elevated risk for serious conditions, up to and including cancer.
You don’t have to take chances with your health. Read more to learn about the connection between health, race, and ethnicity, or contact our Caldwell family medicine practice and urgent care today to request an appointment.
The Connection Between Health, Race, and Ethnicity
Health, race, and ethnicity are all incredibly sensitive topics.
As a general rule, most social scientists believe that race is a social construct. Even though people from different parts of the world can look very different, they often share so many of the same genes that, appearances aside, their biological functions and capabilities are virtually identical.
However, some distinct populations—those who come from the same part of the world, or whose ancestors grew up in similar physical environments—have a higher risk for inheriting certain genetic mutations than others. For the most part, these mutations provide protection from natural hazards. People who are ethnically sub-Saharan African, for instance, are genetically predisposed to the sickle cell trait. The sickle cell trait evolved as a defense mechanism against malaria, but it can also cause distortions in the bloodstream that contribute to stroke, hypertension, and a wide range of other complications.
Although anybody of any race could be at-risk for inherited illness, many genetically-influenced conditions that are common overseas are much rarer in the United States, making it more difficult for patients to realize that a vague symptom could forewarn more serious trouble.
Ethnicity can also affect health in different ways, such as inequitable access to health care in childhood or community-specific differences in lifestyle and activity.
5 Diseases That Disproportionately Affect Minorities
No matter how healthy you may be, your genetics and ethnic background could contribute to your risk for specific illnesses. Here are five of the most common diseases that disproportionately affect minorities:
1. Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease, sometimes termed “sickle cell anemia,” is an inherited disorder that affects the shape of blood cells. Ordinary blood cells are usually round, but anemic blood cells are often shaped like sickles or crescent moons. Over time, these sickles can impede blood flow to other body parts.
The most common symptoms of sickle cell disease include:
- Anemia, or a deficiency of healthy blood cells
- Recurring episodes of pain, which can vary in intensity and last up to several days
- Recurring injuries like bone damage, joint damage, or ulcers
- Swollen hands or feet
- Infection
Sickle cell disease is easy to detect with blood testing. It cannot be cured, but most of its symptoms can be managed. It is most common in African-Americans and other people of sub-Saharan African ancestry.
2. Cancer
Different types of cancer have different risk factors, including race, ethnicity, and sex.
For example:
- Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate, lung, and colon cancers
- Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than white women
- Indigenous and Native Americans have higher rates of kidney and liver cancer than all other races
Your lifestyle, your environment, and your genetics determine your lifetime risk of cancer. Since some ethnicities are predisposed to certain types of cancer, routine check-ups could help catch a malignant illness before it begins to spread.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes is common across the United States, but rates of this disease are disproportionately high in certain populations. These populations include:
- Native Americans
- African-Americans
- Asian-Americans
- Latino-Americans
Diabetes often develops later in life. At first, it may present ambiguous symptoms, like fatigue or gradual, unexplained weight loss. However, left untreated, diabetes can be deadly.
4. Uterine Fibroids
A uterine fibroid is a growth of the uterus. Most fibroids appear after adolescence or before menopause. They aren’t cancerous, but they can cause:
- Heavy, painful, or irregular periods
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Difficulty or trouble urinating
- Constipation
Fibroids can grow large enough to be visible underneath the skin and can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
5. Asthma
Asthma is a chronic illness that causes the airways to narrow and swell. It can trigger symptoms such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
- Wheezing, exhaling, or fits of coughing
Asthma can be aggravated by air pollution and other irritants. It is most prevalent among African-Americans and Latinos, including Latinos from Puerto Rico. Furthermore, many minority patients don’t respond as well to common treatments and inhalers.