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By Anissa Durham
Word in Black
As we celebrate the arrival of the new year, we need to continue to be proactive about our health care.
As members of a second Donald Trump Administration prepare to step into their offices, some in the Black community are fearful of what that can mean for health care access. Though the concerns are valid, there are some practical steps we can all take to continue to care for our health as experts of our bodies.
Preventive care screenings can reduce the risk of disease, disability and death, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The Healthy People 2030 action plan, a government-backed initiative, has a goal of increasing the percentage of Americans nationwide who get the recommended preventative healthcare screenings.
In 2015, just 8.5 percent of adults 35 years and older received all the recommended clinical preventive services. That number dropped to 5.3 percent in 2020, which shows the most recent data available.
In the last year, we at Word In Black have vigorously reported on health care inequities, mental health, and what systems must change for Black folks to improve their health. Here is a short guide to five different health care appointments you can schedule for the new year, based on expert recommendations.
Primary care visit
Whether you have health insurance or not, it’s generally recommended to see a primary care physician at least once a year, and a new year is a good time to start. Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, medical director at Urgent Care Clinics at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, says a doctor can be a trusted caregiver who sets the tone for a healthy year.
“A primary care clinician’s role in the overall health landscape is to be your advocate and help coordinate all other care with referrals, screenings and prescriptions,” she says. “They can help you plan or order any screenings that will be needed in the next year, including mammograms and colonoscopies, and help you keep an eye on important health information like your cholesterol and blood pressure.”
During this visit, it’s a good idea to request blood work, blood pressure screenings and have metabolic lab work done. These tests help detect changes in cholesterol, blood sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, or other emerging or chronic health conditions. They also are good indicators of organ functions and provide a general assessment of your health.
If you are living with a chronic illness or disease, however, you may need to see a primary care physician more often. Depending on your state and your insurance, your annual primary care visit might be free or may include a modest copay.
So, both you and your doctor can keep an eye on your health.
Reproductive care screenings
Due in part to dismissal of care, Black women are disproportionately affected by late diagnoses of breast cancer diagnosis, fibroids and polycystic ovary syndrome. In a post-Roe v. Wade world – and with far-right Republicans in power – it’s likely to be even harder for Black women to get reproductive healthcare.
But there are ways to maintain that part of your health. Dr. Faith Ohuboa, OB-GYN and Department Chair at Memorial Hermann Northeast, recommends scheduling routine pap smears and mammograms in advance to check and manage conditions common among Black women. She also advises speaking up for yourself in the exam room.
“As an advocate for women’s well-being, I emphasize the importance of women advocating for their reproductive health, particularly in light of recent policy changes and shifts in administration,” she says.
Dental visit
Often overlooked, oral health is a key indicator of overall health. Gum disease and tooth decay are directly linked to higher risks of chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, dementia, hypertension, asthma, and more. That’s why it’s important to schedule a dental visit for a professional cleaning and an oral checkup.
Melissa Burroughs, public policy director at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, says poor oral health can increase the chances of depression and mental health issues. Moreover, Black adults are 68 percent more likely than White adults to have an unmet dental need, according to CareQuest Institute research. And nearly 6 in 10 Black adults have lost one or more permanent teeth due to decay or gum disease, compared to 46 percent of all adults.
“Inequities within oral health, like those in other areas of health, have a racial dimension and have been driven by years of systemic racism,” Burroughs says. “A visit to the dentist is one of the top appointments that Black Americans should make for the new year.”
Update your immunizations
The new year falls right in the middle of cold and flu season, so now is the time to update immunizations for the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV. If you are older than 50, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting the two-dose shingles vaccine.
In a recent Pew Research Center survey, a mere 18 percent of Black Americans say they have already received their updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, which is available in pharmacies and doctors’ offices right now.
Mental health screenings
Suicide rates among young Black people continue to rise faster than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. In a 10-year national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors increased, and in 2021, Black students were more likely than Asian, Hispanic, and White students to attempt suicide.
Moreover, an American Psychological Association survey found that only 26.4 percent of Black and Hispanic men between the ages of 18 to 44 who experienced daily feelings of depression or anxiety accessed mental health services.
“Mental health check-ups are important but often overlooked,” says Shebna Osanmoh, psychiatric nurse practitioner. “Schedule annual mental health screenings, especially since Black communities are facing more stressors.”
This article was originally published by Word in Black.
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