JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A recent proposal to increase funding for medical research and discovery of diseases that disproportionately affect African Americans is sparking debate about health concerns in the Black community.
Although it is election season, health concerns for communities of color have long existed and will continue after the November election.
Medical conditions such as diabetes, sickle cell anemia, prostate cancer, and mental health disproportionately affect Blacks and Hispanics. Medical experts say the effects are driven by both genetics and socio-economics.
Vice President Kamala Harris recently proposed a plan to increase funding for medical research into these diseases. After the plan was proposed, News4JAX spoke with officials at Kutz, Linez and Trims Barber Shop on Moncrief Road, one of Jacksonville’s most low-income majority-black neighborhoods.
“Most men, black men, don’t go to the doctor anyway. With this help, maybe we can encourage them to go and get treatment, get tested, do some research beforehand, take medication, etc. We may be able to reduce the symptoms or treat the symptoms,” said Julius Robertson, who just received the medication. haircut.
“Come on. Everyone in our race has someone in their family with high blood pressure or diabetes. It’s all connected,” Bruce Sanders said.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetes can affect anyone, but Black and Hispanic communities are disproportionately affected by the disease due to socioeconomic reasons.
Additionally, many Black and Hispanic communities lack diabetes awareness, education, and community resources, according to the ADA. According to ADA data, African Americans and Hispanics have a 50% higher risk of being diagnosed with diabetes. The same data shows that people with incomes below $80,000 are three times more likely to develop diabetes.
Harris’ proposal is personal for barbershop owner Cedric Turner, whose daughter suffers from sickle cell anemia. A blood disorder that causes painful blockages in blood vessels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 13 African American babies are born with the sickle cell gene inherited from their parents.
“This disease is an innate, lifelong disease, so it takes a really strong person to endure the pain and fight the disease. We will put all our money into anything that can help people with all kinds of symptoms. It’s worth it,” Turner said.
Dr. Michael Koren is the director of the Jacksonville Clinical Research Center. He told News4JAX that additional funding for medical research and better disease detection could save many lives, or at least help improve the quality of life for many people. spoke.
“We’ll never know how this will help everyone, so politically we may be focused on the African American community, but more broadly it will help everyone. I think that’s going to happen,” Koren said.
In a frank and candid conversation inside Katz, Linez and Trim’s Barber Shop, Sanders said that while this suggestion comes from a candidate running for the Oval Office, health concerns are never about politics. He said it shouldn’t be done.
“I don’t care who’s president. It doesn’t matter. When it comes to health, I think that should come first,” Sanders said.
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