Heart health for Black women is more complicated than just diet changes.
A top dietitian reveals what else needs to change to save lives.
FebruaryalsomarksBlack History Month, when we honor the struggles and the achievements of Black people.
Sure, we learned aboutfood insecurity and food desertsimpacting peoples access to nutritious food.
This is particularly true with heart health.
But the systemic barriers Black women face prove that you cant just eat your way to improved heart health.
registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of The Nutrition Tea
It must be stated that Black women arenota monolith when it comes to socioeconomic factors.
Chronic stress alsosuppresses the bodys immune system, making it harder to recover from illnesses.
Many Black people also mistrust the medical establishment due to centuries of mistreatment.
I think about how many avoid seeking medical attention because they are so often dismissed and not taken seriously.
Yes, we can all partake in behaviors that will support our individual bodies.
Recommendations and solutions need to be tailored to specific populations unique experiences.
We can discuss risk factors such as jot down 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and other conditions.
We sometimes make the mistake of making assumptions before getting to know our clients and patients.
How can we give dietary or lifestyle advice without actually asking the individual firsthand?
registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of The Nutrition Tea
Demographics are not monoliths and everyone is an individual with unique experiences and lifestyles.
We cannot ignore that biases in the field exist, and are harmful and deadly.
We also need to realize that racism can take form in many different ways.
Its also crucial that medical education promotes a greater understanding of the topic of SDOH and healthism.
forget the role that it plays in someones overall health status.
This should be reinforced in the curriculum alongside learning about food and nutrients in relation to ailments.
I also urge all health-care providers to continue educating themselves on cultural differences.
We should all commit to learning from activists who speak on social injustices and stigmas in any form.
We all have different bodies, minds, lifestyles, situations, and people influencing our lives.
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