[Source: Chicago Policy Review]
A published study in JAMA Internal Medicine suggested that most of African-Americans living in isolated areas tend to experience higher blood pressure; thus, at a greater risk cardiovascular disease. Research shows that African-Americans moving to integrated areas is very effective for African-Americans in lowering their systolic blood pressure, reducing risks of heart attacks and strokes.
Cardiovascular disease is the primary source of death in the United States, and the condition excessively influences African-Americans. According to the American Heart Association, almost half of non-Hispanic African-American women and men live with a type of heart disease. This is a striking comparison to the non-Hispanic white population at 30%. Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University and a lead author of the study, Kiarri Kersha stated that “social policy and community health outcomes are strongly bonded to one another.”
[Source: Anne Baek/Getty Images/iStockphoto Web. 21 May. 2017]
Therefore, the study proves that living in less segregated areas prevent African-American populations from having heart disease, while those inhabiting highly isolated areas had an elevated risk of heart conditions. Despite the fact that a difference of 1mmHg appears trivial, at the community level, it can effectively lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in the population.
The research in blood pressure delivers an important message to the public. The United States must solve racial segregation and conflicts to improve the health condition of citizens, including those of minorities.
