THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 19, 2024 Page 21 April is National Minority Health Month: Recognizing Health Disparities in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups By Dr. Ana Stankovic, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare of New England A pril is recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as Minority Health Month, an observance that brings awareness to health disparities and encourages action through education, early detection, and disease control. Part of this work includes raising awareness about the disproportionate health outcomes among people who belong to racial or ethnic minority groups. The conditions in which we are born, live, learn, work, play, and worship and our age – known as social determinants of health (SDOH)1 – have important impacts on health. Differences in SDOH contribute to the stark and persistent chronic disease disparities in the U.S. among racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, systematically limiting opportunities for members of some groups to be healthy. Cancer • Black/African Americans have the highest mortality rate of any racial or ethnic group for all cancers combined and for most major cancers.2 • From 2015-2019, African American men were 1.2 times and 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with new cases of colon and prostate cancer than non-Hispanic white men.2 • Although Hispanic men and women generally have lower cancer rates than the non-Hispanic White population, disparities do exist in certain types of cancer. Both Hispanic men and women are almost twice as likely to have and die from liver cancer than Clean-Outs! We take and dispose from cellars, attics, garages, yards, etc. Call Robert at: 781-844-0472 non-Hispanic Whites.3 • Hispanic women are 40% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 30 percent more likely to die from cervical cancer, as compared to non-Hispanic White women.3 Mental Health • Black females, grades 9-12, were 60% more likely to attempt suicide in 2019, as compared to non-Hispanic white females of the same age.4 • Suicide attempts for Hispanic girls, grades 9-12, were 30% higher than for non-Hispanic white girls in the same age group, in 2019.5 • In 2018, Hispanics were 50% less likely to have received mental health treatment as compared to non-Hispanic Whites.5 Prenatal Care • Although overall infant mortality rates have fallen over time, the 2018 infant mortality rate for infants of non-Hispanic Black women was more than twice as high as that for infants of non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic Asian and Hispanic women.6 • In 2019, Hispanic mothers were 80% more likely to receive late or no prenatal care as compared to non-Hispanic White mothers.7 This awareness month brings light to differences in the health outcomes of various racial and ethnic minority groups. This awareness can also inform individuals about how groups who have poor social determinants of health and lack of access to high-quality medical care are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from diseases. 1 CDC, 2022, https://www. cdc.gov/chronicdisease/healthequity/social-determinants-of-health-and-chronic-disease.html 2 Office of Minority Health, 2022, https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/cancer-and-african-americans 3 Office of Minority Health, 2021, https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/cancer-and-hispanic-americans 4 Office of Minority Health, 2022, https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mental-and-behavioral-health-african-americans 5 Office of Minority Health, 2021, https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mental-and-behavioral-health-hispanics 6 CDC, 2020, https://www. cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr69/ NVSR-69-7-508.pdf 7 Office of Minority Health, 2021, https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=68 Discount Tree Service 781-269-0914 Discount Services - Raccoons - Squirrel Removal 781-269-0914 1. The world’s largest baked bean factory is in what country: Australia, England or USA? 2. In April of what year did the 1913 “Keeping Up with the Joneses” comic strip end: 1914, 1922 or 1938? 3. On April 19, 1960, baseball players’ uniforms first had what change? 4. What country is officially part of Europe but technically in two continents? 5. April 20 is Record Store Day; what was the first regular playback speed: 33, 45 or 78? 6. What organization has recognized the fastest marathon runner dressed as a monarch and fastest half-marathon runner dressed as a clown? 7. On April 21, 1789, who was sworn in as the first Vice President? 8. In April 1912, Enrico Caruso sang “The Lost Chord” at a Metropolitan Opera House benefit concert for what group? 9. What baseball player who broke Babe Ruth’s MLB record for career home runs started his pro career with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League? 10. On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated in what country? 11. What fruit can be improved by “noble rot”? 12. What animal has the largest eyes: giant squid, ostrich or whale? 13. On April 23, 2009, what second-largest province passed an “Apology Act” that mandates that an apology is not necessarily an admission of guilt? 14. How are Bull Moose, Free Soil and Know Nothing similar? Professional TREE REMOVAL & Cleanups 24-HOUR SERVICE 15. In 1934, President Woodrow Wilson was pictured on what bill: $50, $1,000 or $100,000? 16. April 24 is Denim Day; in 1979 who released the song “Forever in Blue Jeans”? 17. What country has won the most World Cups? 18. What is a pretrial legal agreement resolving a dispute called? 19. What is wattle and daub? 20. On April 25, 1901, New York became the first state to require license plates, mandating that they have what letters (no numbers)? ANSWERS 1. England (the Heinz factory in Wigan, Lancashire) 2. 1938 3. Their surnames added to their uniform backs (the Chicago White Sox) 4. Iceland (in Europe and North America due to being on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and being split into two tectonic plates) 5. 78 6. Guinness World Records 7. John Adams 8. The families of Titanic victims 9. Henry “Hank” Aaron 10. USA 11. Wine grapes 12. Giant squid 13. Ontario 14. They are names of past U.S. political parties. 15. $100,000 (a bill made for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks) 16. Neil Diamond 17. Brazil 18. Settlement 19. A primitive building method using sticks and a filler like clay or mud 20. Owner’s initials
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