African Americans, chronic disease and the Holiday Season

News from the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention

An unhealthy lifestyle that consists of smoking, poor eating habits, and lack of exercise are contributing to an epidemic of chronic, preventable diseases that are alarming for the future health of the nation and for African-Americans, in particular. These diseases often include heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and obesity.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 1.4 times more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic Whites and Black women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese. African American men are 30% more likely to die from heart disease. We are also twice more likely to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes than their white counterparts. While the diagnosis for the current state of African American health may appear bleak our community has an opportunity to collectively influence a prognosis of a healthier lifestyle.

The Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention (ILAACP) works very hard raising public awareness and consciousness about health disparities that negatively affect African American communities.  As we embark upon celebrating three holidays planned around food and more food – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Kwanzaa – we wanted to take a moment to provide you with a few resources that will allow you to indulge your palette while watching your waist line.

Here are a few resources to checkout to prepare for a healthier holiday:

• Prepare your favorite African American dishes in ways that protect you and your family from heart disease and stroke. This cookbook provides recipes for 26 tested and tasty favorite African American dishes check out the cookbook here .
• The Black America Cooks website celebrating healthy flavors of home, for a list of healthy snacks and recipes click here.
• Take a look at Holiday Cooking Adventures from Julie Topping of The 80% Solution here.
• From Kids Eat Right check out Healthy Soul Food your way, embracing the healthier roots of soul food here.
• From the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health the Key to Cooking “Down Home Healthy” is a Pantry Stocked with Healthy Ingredients listed here.

Have a safe, healthy, and happy gobble, gobble day!

In Service,

Malik S. Nevels, J.D.
Executive Director