A guide to a healthier you - For Brothers Only

IT'S nothing new. In fact, the rules have remained virtually the same. But even so, we as a race, and particularly we as African-American men, many times fail to follow them--fail to follow the rules of good health, to heed time-proven medical advice.

Many of us live our lives as if there were no tomorrow. We do things that we know aren't good for us, and we don't do things we know are good for us. As a result, African-Americans are ravished by serious ailments and deadly diseases at an alarming rate. The result is a life expectancy for Blacks that, in this day and age, is an amazing six years shorter than Whites.

This month, EBONY examines diabetes, a disease that has a death rate for Blacks that is 27 percent higher than it is for Whites. While genetics and heredity certainly play a part in our battle with diabetes, diet and exercise--two things that we can control--can also be fingered as culprits. In fact, studies have indicated that weight control can many times prevent diabetes from ever occurring. Even so, African-American people, as a group, are more overweight than other races.

But diabetes is not the only killer that targets Blacks. We experience the highest death rates from heart disease, cancer, diabetes and AIDS. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death for Blacks in the United States. Stroke is third. Together, the twin assassins kill 9,000 Blacks every month. We are four times more likely to die of a stroke than our White counterparts, and African-American women have a 69 percent higher death rate from heart disease than White women.

A recent survey of 3,500 Black adults by the National Hypertension Association found that one-third didn't know their blood pressure levels, one-half didn't know the risk factors associated with high blood pressure and nearly 85 percent didn't know that weight loss could help lower blood pressure.

Admittedly, it doesn't help our cause that many times we deal with biased doctors who can't relate to us, and many times hold stereotypical beliefs about our behavior or health. As a result, at times we convey mistrust, refuse treatment, or comply poorly with treatment, which in turn causes providers to become even less engaged in our treatment process.

With the wealth of information and tools available to us today, there's no excuse for ignorance when it comes to our health. But simply knowing is not enough. We must also apply this knowledge to our everyday lives.

While we can take some comfort in knowing that our overall health and attitudes about health care have improved, we continue to have far to go. When will we become sick and tired of being sick and tired? When will more of us, once and for all, take control of our lives, say "no" to the unhealthy foods and situations that threaten our well-being, and say "yes" to a lifestyle that promotes our health? When will more of us become fed up with being bombarded by stories and studies belying our greater risks for disease, ailments and death? When will we decide to do something about it?

Tough questions. Particularly for Brothers, who generally see a doctor or follow medical advice less often than Black women. For us, becoming healthier and happier means changing deeply rooted behaviors and beliefs.

But it can be done. And when you initiate good habits, when you make it a habit of practicing better ways to take care of yourself, pass it along. Pass it along to your child, your mother, your lady. You'll find that there is nothing better than leaving a legacy of good health and well-being that generations to come can build on. To get you started, here are 25 surefire ways to live a healthier life. Not all medical in nature, many are just common-sense lifestyle actions.

In no order of importance, the suggestions are: 1.) Don't smoke 2.) Eat right 3.) Limit stressful situations 4.) Exercise 5.) Drink plenty of water 6.) Laugh 7.) Cry 8.) Pray 9.) Get rest 10.) Limit your vices 11.) Pay yourself first 12.) Don't overextend yourself 13.) Buckle your seatbelt 14.) Practice safe sex 15.) Share some time with your loved ones 16.) Don't bottle emotions 17.) Adapt to change 18.) Get regular checkups 19.) Maintain healthy weight 20.) Take your prescribed medication 21.) Use the Internet as an information tool 22.) Don't use the Internet as your doctor 23.) Don't use the emergency room as your doctor 24.) Set attainable goals 25.) Accomplish those goals!

COPYRIGHT 2003 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group