Economy

Racial disparities make it harder to ‘die well’

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN – RECORDER — African Americans experience an earlier onset and greater risk of what may be referred to as lifestyle-related diseases — cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. More than 40 percent of African Americans over the age of 20 are diagnosed with high blood pressure, compared to 32 percent of all Americans.

Published

5 years ago

July 22, 2019

By Jason Ashe and Danielle L. Beatty Moody

The world got an idea recently from 92-year-old Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, who popularized mindfulness and meditation in the U.S. The monk returned to his home in Vietnam to pass his remaining years. Many admired his desire to live his remaining time in peace and dignity.

Researchers from the University of California-San Diego recently did a literature search to understand what Americans might consider to be a “good death” or “successful dying.” As can be expected, their findings varied. People’s views were determined by their religious, social and cultural norms and influences.

The researchers urged healthcare providers, caregivers and the lay community to have open dialogues about preferences for the dying process.

As scholars who study social health and human services psychology, we found something missing in these conversations — how race impacts life span. It’s important to recognize that not everyone has an equal chance at “dying well.”

Black population and ill health

Take the disease burden of the African American population.

African Americans experience an earlier onset and greater risk of what may be referred to as lifestyle-related diseases — cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. More than 40 percent of African Americans over the age of 20 are diagnosed with high blood pressure, compared to 32 percent of all Americans.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the likelihood of experiencing a first stroke is nearly twice as high for African Americans compared with Whites. African Americans are more than two times more likely to experience a stroke before the age of 55. At age 45, the mortality rate from stroke is three times higher for Blacks compared to Whites.

This disease burden consequently leads to their higher mortality rates and overall shorter life expectancy for Blacks compared to Whites.

And while the life expectancy gap differs by only a few years, 75.3 for Blacks and 78.9 for Whites as of 2016, research suggests that African Americans suffer more sickness. This is due in part to the increased prevalence of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes in this population.

Genetics, biological factors and lifestyle behaviors, such as diet and smoking, help explain a portion of these differences. However, researchers are still learning how race-related social experiences and physical environments affect health, illness and mortality.

Access to health care

One factor is that African Americans have historically underutilized preventive medicine and healthcare services. They also delay seeking routine, necessary health care — or may not follow medical advice.

One study found that during an average month, 35 percent fewer Blacks visited a physician’s office, and 27 percent fewer visited an outpatient clinic compared with Whites. “The only time I go to the doctor is when something is really hurting. But otherwise, I don’t even know my doctor’s name,” said a young African American male during a research study in Chicago.

There are reasons for this mistrust. Researchers who study medical mistrust argue that high-profile cases of medical experiments are still playing a role in how African Americans view healthcare systems and providers.

In the past, physicians have intentionally done harm against people of color. A well-known case is the “Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis” in African American men, which lasted from 1932 to 1972.

In this clinical study, 399 African American men who had already contracted syphilis were told that they were receiving free health care from the government. In fact, doctors, knowing their critical condition, were awaiting their deaths to subsequently conduct autopsies and study the disease’s progression.

Even though penicillin had been proven to treat syphilis by 1947, these men were denied the treatment.

Why discrimination matters for health

Other studies suggest that regardless of their knowledge of past medical abuse, many African Americans have low levels of trust in medical establishments.

“Doctors, like all other people, are subject to prejudice and discrimination,” writes Damon Tweedy, author of Black Man in a White Coat: A Doctor’s Reflections on Race and Medicine. “While bias can be a problem in any profession, in medicine, the stakes are much higher.”

Unfortunately, these fears are underscored by empirical evidence that African Americans are less likely to receive pain medication management, higher quality care, or survive surgical procedures.

In addition, a growing body of literature has established that experiences of discrimination are extremely harmful to physical and mental health, particularly among African Americans. This research adds to the body of evidence that experiences of discrimination harm people’s health and may contribute to the increased rates of premature decline and death among Blacks.

What does it take to SOTdie well?

As African American scholars, we argue the “art of dying well” may be a distant and romantic notion for the African American community. African Americans are also exposed to earlier and more frequent deaths of close loved ones, immediate family members and friends.

Their increased “vulnerability to untimely deaths,” writes Duke University scholar Karla Holloway, shows African Americans’ lack of access to equitable and fair paths in life.

Before defining “a good death,” American society must first begin to fundamentally address how to promote quality living and longevity across all racial groups.

Story republished with permission from The Conversation.

Jason Ashe is a doctoral student in human services psychology at the University of Maryland. Danielle L. Beatty Moody is an assistant professor of behavioral medicine at the University of Maryland.

This article originally appeared in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

By Jason Ashe and Danielle L. Beatty Moody

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Special Interview: Rep. Barbara Lee Discusses Kamala Harris’ Plan for Black Men

On Oct. 16, California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Harris-Walz campaign surrogate, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who shared more insights on Harris’ agenda and the importance of securing the Black Male vote. “She has said very clearly that she wants to earn the vote of everyone. And that means earning the vote of Black men,” said Lee of Harris. “She understands the systemic and historic challenges that Black men have. You haven’ t heard of a presidential candidate coming up with a concrete actual plan and policy agenda.” The agenda includes five focus areas based on insights she gleaned from hosting discussions with Black men during her Economic Opportunity Tour.

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2024

Oakland Post

(File Photo) U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-13-Oakland) chides Justices on the Supreme Court of the United States for voting to strike down Affirmative Action. She is shown here speaking in front of the California Reparations Task Force in Oakland on May 6, 2023. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey. By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Last week, the Kamala Harris campaign released its Opportunity Agenda for Black Men.

“She has said very clearly that she wants to earn the vote of everyone. And that means earning the vote of Black men,” said Lee of Harris. “She understands the systemic and historic challenges that Black men have. You haven’ t heard of a presidential candidate coming up with a concrete actual plan and policy agenda.”

The agenda includes five focus areas based on insights she gleaned from hosting discussions with Black men during her Economic Opportunity Tour:

Provide 1 million loans that are fully forgivable to Black entrepreneurs and others disadvantaged groups to start businesses.
Champion education, training, and mentorship programs that help Black men get good-paying jobs in high-demand industries It will also develop more accessible pathways for Black men to become teachers.
Support a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and other digital assets so Black men who invest in and own these assets are protected.
Launch a National Health Equity Initiative focused on Black men that addresses sickle cell disease, diabetes, mental health, prostate cancer, and other health challenges that disproportionately impact them.
Legalize recreational marijuana and creating opportunities for Black Americans to succeed in this new industry.

“[Vice President Harris] knows that Black men have long felt that too often their voice in our political process has gone unheard and that there is so much untapped ambition and leadership within the Black male community,” the language in the agenda states. “Black men and boys deserve a president who will provide the opportunity to unleash this talent and potential by removing historic barriers to wealth creation, education, employment, earnings, health, and improving the criminal justice system.”

Diving into Harris’ agenda, Lee says, reminded her of her own record of supporting Black men over the years as an elected official. In the 90’s, she established the first California Commission on African American Males through which she pressured the state to address urgent economic, health and social challenges specific to Black men.

“No group of people are a monolithic group of people,” said Lee She’ s not taking any vote for granted. I’ve known her over three decades and I believe she is being herself. She’ s authentic,” Lee added.

Each of the 5 key points addressed in the Harris Campaign’s agenda, Lee says, has additional clauses that can potentially help Black men and their families thrive. This includes lowering rent; up to $25,000 in downpayment help for first time homebuyers; and cutting taxes for Black men in lower-wage jobs by increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit maximum to $1,500.

“I think the messages is one of empowerment for Black men — regardless of whether they’ re a blue-collar worker, if they’ re not working, if they’ re in business, if they’ re an entrepreneur, whatever background or whatever they’re doing or experiencing life. I think the authenticity of their experience can only be articulated through them,” said Lee.

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Oakland’s Asian Community Rallies Against Recall of Mayor Sheng Thao

Thao was speaking at a rally Oct. 15 in Oakland Chinatown, backed by about 100 supporters. “Oakland has seen unprecedented challenges during and since the pandemic, Thao said. “But I stand with you today to tell you that “Oakland has seen 14,000 less crimes this year than last year. This year, we’re headed on the right track,” with fewer homicides than in 2019. “We are saving lives in Oakland. What we are doing work,” she said.

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2024

Oakland Post

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao spoke Tuesday, Oct. 15, at a unity rally to oppose the campaign to recall her two years into her four-year term. Photo by Ken Epstein.

“We’re saving lives in Oakland. What we are doing works,” said Mayor Thao

By Ken Epstein

Self-assured and defiant, Mayor Sheng Thao strongly defended her achievements during her first two years as mayor and went on the offensive against billionaires who are funding the recall campaign against her.

Thao was speaking at a rally Oct. 15 in Oakland Chinatown, backed by about 100 supporters.

“Oakland has seen unprecedented challenges during and since the pandemic, Thao said. “But I stand with you today to tell you that “Oakland has seen 14,000 less crimes this year than last year. This year, we’re headed on the right track,” with fewer homicides than in 2019. “We are saving lives in Oakland. What we are doing work,” she said.

Local community and business leaders supporting Thao spoke at the rally, too, which was held in the courtyard of the Pacific Renaissance Plaza in Chinatown. They pushed back on corporate media portrayals of Chinatown residents living in fear of rampant crime and united in opposition to Thao.

“The billionaires, the millionaires, are going to want to tell you that it’s not working and that somehow you shouldn’t believe the data,” Thao continued. “(However) the data shows that we are saving lives. That is a huge win. It’s not good enough. But it’s a place where we’re proud to start from.”

“You know who is behind this recall. It is majority funded by one executive (of a) hedge fund who doesn’t even live in Oakland. He does not care if this brings Oakland into chaos, because that’s exactly what his recall will do. Imagine a city with no leadership (for many months),” added Thao.

Another speaker, Stewart Chen, owner of a small business in Chinatown and a prominent political leader, has taken a strong stand against the recall.

“Mayor Thao (was) in office for less than two months before the recall started. I think it’s unfair. She hasn’t had time to prove her policies and her leadership,” Chen said.

“(Only) two months. That is not democratic. She campaigned hard and was duly elected, -justly, legally, democratically,” he said.

“The Chinatown community, we’re all here, (because) we want to see Mayor Thao (here) for the next two years” to complete her term, Chen said.

Other speakers included Kenneth Tang, organizing director of Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) Action – who said he and other APEN Action members came to the rally because, “We support Mayor Thao.”

Elaine Peng, president of Asian Americans for Progressive Alameda, (AAPA) brought out people to the rally. Her organization is also actively working to elect U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Mariano Contreras of the Latino Task Force and a leader of the “Respect Our Vote – No Recalls!” coalition, said, “There was a time when African Americans could not vote. There was a time when Asians could not vote. There was a time when Latinos could not vote. That was called voter suppression. This is another form of voter suppression. We already cast our ballot for Mayor Sheng Thao. Please, vote ‘no’ on the recall.”

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Oakland’s Clergy Leaders Say ‘No’ Vote to Recall of Mayor Sheng Thao

“The recall of the mayor is not needed and ill-founded. Oakland does not need chaos. Oakland does not need coal dust in the air,” said Pastor Jim Hopkins of Lake Shore Avenue Baptist Church. The pastor was referring to recall funder and hedge fund partner Phillip Dreyfuss, whose company has several billions of dollars invested in the coal industry at a time when Oakland is resisting the construction of a coal export terminal in the city.

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2024

Oakland Post

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao thanked more than 100 faith leaders who say a recall is unfair. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

By Post Staff

Local faith leaders spoke out at a press conference this week at the Democratic Party Election Headquarters office in Oakland to express their support for Mayor Sheng Thao.

They also urged Oakland residents to vote “No” on the recall on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The leaders in this interfaith coalition, representing the diversity of Oakland’s religious community, organized the press conference on Oct. 22 to show they are standing united against the recall. Speakers said they were concerned that a successful recall would throw the city and its finances into chaos.

If the recall were successful, the city would have five mayors in three years, creating dysfunction at a time the city desperately needs stable leadership to focus on its budget and continue to make progress on public safety, the leaders emphasized.

“The recall of the mayor is not needed and ill-founded. Oakland does not need chaos. Oakland does not need coal dust in the air,” said Pastor Jim Hopkins of Lake Shore Avenue Baptist Church.

The pastor was referring to recall funder and hedge fund partner Phillip Dreyfuss, whose company has several billions of dollars invested in the coal industry at a time when Oakland is resisting the construction of a coal export terminal in the city.

“I love Oakland, and we need to get behind our leadership. I’m excited we have a mayor who is concerned about the people of Oakland,” said Bishop Greg Payton of St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in West Oakland.

Said Pastor Joe Smith of Good Hope Baptist Church in East Oakland, “Our homicides are down. Police force not fully staffed. She has the rate down. Black and Brown boys not getting killed. Mayor Thao has done this. United we stand, divided we fall. I’m here to say ‘No’ on the recall. I don’t believe in recalls. We have a good Mayor. Let’s stand with her.”

Speaking at the press conference, Mayor Sheng Thao said she has taken major steps to increase public safety, significantly reducing crime in the city. In addition, Thao added. “In less than two years, I’ve already invested in West Oakland, and in Deep East Oakland, (and) new investments are set to bring billions to the city,” Mayor Thao said

Many community organizations and leaders have stood with the mayor since the “No on the Recall” campaign launched on Oct. 6.

Those opposing the recall include the Alameda County Democratic Party, Rep Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, former Assemblymember Sandré Swanson, Oakland City Councilmember Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb, and 12 of the 16 candidates running for Oakland City Council.

In addition, a range of unions and political organizations have taken a stand against the recall effort, including the Alameda Labor Council, SEIU 1021, IFPTE Local 21, Alameda County Fire Fighters, NorCal Carpenters Union, as well as Oakland Rising Action, APEN (Asian Pacific Environmental Network), John George Democratic Club, Wellstone Democratic Club, the Latino Task Force, and others.