CONTINUED- Called to Medicine..... Called to Community An Intimate Chat with Dr. Jelisa Timmons
- The leading cause of death in Hispanic women is cardiovascular disease; 42.7 % of Hispanic women are estimated to have some form of cardiovascular disease. 24 % more likely to have poorly controlled hypertension.
- Obesity: 56.9 % of black women over the age of 20 have obesity, compared to 36.2 % white women. Estimated that 47 % of Hispanic women have obesity.
- Diabetes rates in black women are nearly double that of white women. Hispanic women estimated to have a rate of about 11 % of women with diabetes and 13.3 % in black women. Some studies estimate the true prevalence of diabetes in black women is 20 %, with many having undiagnosed diabetes.
- Breast cancer: The mortality is about 40 % higher in black women despite occurring less often – attributed to more aggressive subtypes and late diagnoses. Mortality in Hispanic women from breast cancer is 20 % higher than white women.
- Cervical cancer mortality is twice that of white women, with Black women having higher cervical cancer rates.
- When it relates to healthcare, 63 % of black women report at least one negative healthcare experience( bias or mis trust, etc)
- Black and Hispanic women are less likely to be insured, with Hispanic adults being 3x more likely to be uninsured.
- A recent VCU survey found that 20 % of Spanish speaking adults reported depression and about 20 % anxiety, nearly 70 % had never access mental health services due to barriers like cost, transportation, stigma, etc.
DZ – Many of our followers are dealing with the newness of issues that surface with menopause. Can you explain the stages of Menopause and some of the early symptoms many sisters experience? Hot flashes and relentless weight gain in the belly seem to be the biggest issues. If they are unbearable can they be managed with medication?
JT – First, I would like to provide some reassurance. Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural phase of life that every woman will experience if they live long enough. Essentially, your body is shifting into a new hormonal balance – your ovaries stop producing estrogen and as a result you stop producing eggs and you stop having periods. But it is a journey, as we may know.
Perimenopause is the earliest phase of this transition. It can start in mid 30s but is usually in your mid- 40s. Your hormone levels – estrogen and progesterone – begin to fluctuate. As a result, your periods get irregular, you can experience night sweats and hot flashes, some have poor sleep. This time can be a little rough because you are having some of the symptoms of menopause but STILL having a period.
Menopause is defined as 12 months without a period. Average age in the US is 51. At this point, estrogen has dropped sharply, and you stop producing eggs. Symptoms can intensify but for some they level out. Usually the hallmark is hot flashes / night sweats, but you may also experience vaginal dryness, fatigue, and brain fog.
Post menopause is after the year your menses stop. Some still experience hot flashes and other symptoms, and those symptoms can potentially last for years. Long term post-menopausal health concerns include bone loss, heart disease, changes in weight, namely weight gain. Estrogen affects bone, skin, brain, and heart, which is why we often times see body-wide changes as we enter this new hormonal balance.
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