It’s been a while since I’ve featured a post and after reading one at martyblogs.com, I knew I had to share this one with you all. In a post called Black Men and Cancer, Marty gets on us about knowing our family medical history and taking cancer exams more serious. I’ve blogged about my health before and how I get annual physicals because my family has a history of high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke. I agree with him 100% because we tend to have a thing with self-diagnosing and not getting the medical attention we need.

I also know a lot of people who don’t go to the doctor because they lack health insurance or don’t trust the doctor all together. But that’s something we need to get over soon because our health depends on it. There are many programs out there to participate in, but you have to do the research. If you search the blog, you’ll even see a couple posted here.

So brothas, it’s time to step up when it comes to our health. Sure there are plenty of things other than health than can take us out. But if taking care of myself keeps me here a little longer, I’m all for it. Check out the post and take heed to what Marty is telling us. Also check out this track from Nas’s new CD. He understands the health struggle as do I. Yes, there is profanity on this track.

A lot of people have been upset about the comments Rev. Jeremiah Wright has made in his sermons, one of the biggest being the one about the United States spreading AIDS in the black community. While I don’t personally feel this is true, I cannot blame him or anyone else in his generation for having those feelings. Wright, born in 1941, lived during a time when rights weren’t always equal and segregation was a normal part of life. He was well-educated and after two years of serving in the United States Marine Corps, joined the United States Navy and entered the Corpsman School at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. As a preacher, he seems to have had a monumental effect in the black community where his Chicago church is located. So it’s interesting to me how a 10 second clip can overshadow the accomplishments of the past.

While the numbers of those infected with HIV/AIDS are high in the black community, I honestly don’t feel the government had anything to do with it. At the same time, I can see why Wright and so many others feel this statement is true. Over 70 years ago, an experimental study took place that I feel may have caused some of the distrust between our government and the black community.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:

In 1932, the Public Health Service, working with the Tuskegee Institute, began a study to record the natural history of syphilis in hopes of justifying treatment programs for blacks. It was called the “Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male.”

The study initially involved 600 black men – 399 with syphilis, 201 who did not have the disease. The study was conducted without the benefit of patients’ informed consent. Researchers told the men they were being treated for “bad blood,” a local term used to describe several ailments, including syphilis, anemia, and fatigue. In truth, they did not receive the proper treatment needed to cure their illness. In exchange for taking part in the study, the men received free medical exams, free meals, and burial insurance. Although originally projected to last 6 months, the study actually went on for 40 years.

While many laws have been implemented to prevent another Tuskegee Experiment, the distrust still remains. If you’re thinking “ya’ll need to get over it”, let’s do the math. 2008 minus 1972 (the year the study was ended) equals 36 years. These men participated in this study and were mislead by the very people we look to for help when we’re sick. Time heals all wounds, but this is one instance where the time has not been long enough. I’m all for getting medical attention when needed and hope the black patient/doctor/government relationship improves. When the trust is broken, it takes time and effort from all sides to repair it.

There was one time when a black doctor came to our men’s Bible study class asking for volunteers to participant in a study for diabetes. He explained to us the importance of getting involved in these types of medical studies and urged us to spread the word. He told us when African-Americans don’t participate, the medicines created aren’t well-tested for our people. The doctors then have a harder time choosing the best medication for us and we end up having to try out more combinations than everyone else. But in the end, I doubt the good doctor had anyone participate in his study (including me).

Is Wright right for spreading the AIDS belief in his sermon? I think it’s up to his church and the members to make up their own minds on how they feel about it. Wright is free to believe and express what he feels is true, but all he did is say what many people are saying behind closed doors. For more information on the experiment, check out the sites below:

Remembering Tuskegee

Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male

The Tuskegee Timeline

Inside the National Archives

This year, one of the things I’d like to do is focus on our health. There are a lot of topics to cover, but I’d like the first to be about breast cancer. I was listening to the radio and some of the facts they mentioned about black women and breast cancer led me to put this post together.

I was reading an article that stated African-American women experience the longest diagnostic, treatment and clinical delay of breast cancer treatment. It was found that 77% of African-American women survive five years after diagnosis as compared to 90% for white women. African-American women also have a 6 percent higher death rate than white women.

While the numbers over the years have improved, there’s more work to be done. The key factor in decreasing the amount of women who die from breast cancer is education and early detection. The Susan G. Komen foundation has started a group called the Circle of Promise, which was created to ensure that African-American women are empowered with the information and tools they need to take charge of their own health and serve as ambassadors in their local communities. Essence magazine and Ford Motor company have also teamed up with the Circle of Promise to do their part in bringing awareness to the black community.

Now, I’m sure the million dollar question is why is a black man talking about breast cancer awareness? The answer is simple. I have a wife, a mom, a grandmother, family members and friends that could benefit from this type of information. If brest cancer can affect the people in my community, then it also affects me.

Related Links:
NPR : Breast Cancer Differences in African-American Women

I grew up listening to Bill Cosby. My dad had almost every album he put out and I remember sitting around the record player with my younger brother laughing at his comedy routine. I grew up on Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids, the stories of him and his brother Russell and Buck, Buck. As a teen I watched Cosby Show and a Different World. And even as an adult, I watch Little Bill with my son. So I can honestly say, I had high expectations for the book Come On People and knew there would be a lesson for everyone who read it.

I have to admit, while reading it I received a lot of mixed messages. You can tell they were trying to get their point across without offending too many people. It was definitely a toned down version of Cosby’s usual rants about the black community and I feel a lot of what they wrote was common sense. But along with the criticism, they gave a lot of advice on things we can do to improve our lives and lives of those around us. The book included topics on parenting, health, finances, community involvement and personal responsibility.

The first chapter covers the topic of the black male (or lack thereof) and offers advice on some of the things we can do as men to benefit our families and the community. I thought this was a great way to start the book because I think the role and concept of a real black man has been skewed. They ask the question, “What’s going on with black men?” and encourage men to build on the legacy of the those in the past. They ask men to re-dedicate themselves to the family and rebuild relationships that may have gone bad in an effort to be with their kids.

I was also glad to see some advice in the book for ex-offenders. Those who are looking to change have a hard time after they are release and there is a word for them in various chapters of the book. No one in the book was free from criticism, but everyone received some advice. Black men, woman and kids can get something out of the book, but you really have to take it as constructive criticism. There’s a lot in this book to take in, so I thought I’d list the topic of each chapter. Each chapter has different subtopics that touch on different things we face as a people.

Chapter 1: What’s Going On with Black Men?
Chapter 2: It Takes a Community
Chapter 3: We All Start Out as Children
Chapter 4: Teach Your Children Well
Chapter 5: The Media You Deserve
Chapter 6: Healthy Hearts and Minds
Chapter 7: The High Price of Violence
Chapter 8: From Poverty to Prosperity

My overall opinion is that Come On People gives the same general message as every other book I’ve read regarding the black community. It’s going to be up to us to make a change in what happens in our community. Dr. Cosby tends to get a lot of flack for what he says. But sometimes we need to hear the tough words. I’m sure this book will catch a lot of criticism, but if he didn’t care about our community, I’m sure he could just sit on his mounds of money relaxing on the beach. Many may not agree with their methods in how the message is presented, but Drs. Cosby and Poussaint have gotten people to talk about the issues. While this book may not apply to the majority of people who read it, I hope it does move us to get out there and make a difference where we can. It’s going to be up to us to take what’s said here and us it to help empower others.

I’ve provided some links below, if you would like to read a few chapters from the book. If you’ve read it, then I’d like to know how you feel. If not, then it’s a book worthy of adding to your collection. I’ll be giving some additional comments of Come On People on the next podcast.

http://treasures.billcosby.com/pdf/ComeonPeople-pg77-88.pdf
http://treasures.billcosby.com/pdf/ComeonPeople-pg124-132.pdf
http://treasures.billcosby.com/pdf/ComeonPeople-pg168-174.pdf

In keeping with full disclosure, I did want to let everyone know the reason for this review was because I received a copy from Team Cosby. The only requirements were that I read and post an open and honest review in a month’s time. You can rest assured that I did just as they asked.

Today is World AIDS Day, which reminds us of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the world’s health. In preparing this post I wanted to gather as much information as I could because AIDS is a serious epidemic in the black and international community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, HIV and AIDS have hit African Americans the hardest. The reasons are not directly related to race or ethnicity, but rather to some of the barriers faced by many African Americans. These barriers can include poverty (being poor), sexually transmitted diseases, and stigma (negative attitudes, beliefs, and actions directed at people living with HIV/AIDS or directed at people who do things that might put them at risk for HIV).

When we look at HIV/AIDS by race and ethnicity, we see that African Americans have

• More illness. Even though blacks (including African Americans) account for about 13% of the US population, they account for about half (49%) of the people who get HIV and AIDS.
• Shorter survival times. Blacks with AIDS often don’t live as long as people of other races and ethnic groups with AIDS. This is due to the barriers mentioned above.
• More deaths. For African Americans and other blacks, HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death.

As alarming as these statistics may be, early detection through testing is the best way to control this disease that kills millions of people around the world. I’ve heard people say, “If I have it, I don’t want to know”. To them, I urge to change their mindset. Don’t be selfish. Take the test and take control. Be responsible because you’re not just putting your life on the line. You’re also affecting the lives of everyone who you’ve had unprotected sex with. The sooner you get tested, the sooner you can get help.

If you don’t know where to go for testing, you can use you cell phone to text message your zip code to 566948 or visit www.hivtest.org.

You have the power to control this. The ball is in your court. All you have to do is shoot. Please take the time to review the links I’ve provided. It’s some important information and you might learn something that will save your or someone else’s life. Let’s spread the word and take control.

The Basics on HIV Infection and AIDS

How to keep from getting AIDS

Rapid HIV Testing Podcast (1 minute)

Rapid HIV Testing Transcript

HIV Transmission: Questions and Answers

African Americans & AIDS

HIV/AIDS among African Americans - Fact Sheet

2007 AIDS Epidemic Update

Fact Sheet - Key Facts by Region

Black AIDS Institute

About a month ago, I wrote a blog post on a way to get up to 20% off on prescription medication. The only criteria was that your county had to become a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo). I was disappointed to find my mom’s county wasn’t a member, so they weren’t able to participate.

About a week later, I recieved a call on the voicemail hotline from about the FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card. This is a similar program through , but there are no enrollment or eligibility requirements. I should mention it is not insurance, but a way to receive immediate discounts on prescription drugs at participating pharmacies. Simply present your card with each prescription from your doctor to the participating pharmacy at the time of purchase to receive your discounts. If you need to transfer a prescription, bring your empty prescription bottle or label with you to the pharmacy.

While the government continues to argue over what to do with the health care crisis, FamilyWize is making something happen. To print out your prescription drug card, go to the Where to Get a Card section of the website. Once again spread the news to those who need it. Much thanks to Dan for informing of this program.

The National Association of Counties Prescription Drug Discount Card program was designed for uninsured and underinsured county residents. The program is open to everyone even if you already have insurance and you can save an average of 20% off the full retail cost of prescription medication. The discount cards are provided free to residents living in participating NACo member counties across the country and a national network of more than 57,000 retail pharmacies honor the card.

The only catch is your county must be a member for you to participate. Check the list of counties to see if you are eligible. If your county is not on the list, see if you can get them to fill out the Prescription Drug Discount Participation Form. It will inform NACo that they are interested. Please spread the word about this service.