Special Populations' Student Health Concerns Committee
Prevalent Non-Communicable Diseases
In Special Populations
What Are Non-Communicable Diseases?
A non-communicable disease (NCD) is a disease that is not transmissible directly from one person to another.
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People of all age groups, regions and countries are affected by NCDs. However, NCDs can greatly and disproportionally affect special populations, including Black/African American, Latino/a, Indian/Alaska Natives etc.
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Scroll Down to Learn More about NCDs and Who does it affect.
Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the force that a person’s blood exerts against the walls of their blood vessels (1). Hypertension is seen higher in black patients than in other groups. A 2015 statistical report of the American Heart Association noted, “In 2009 to 2012, the age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 44.9% and 46.1% among non-Hispanic black men and women" (2). African Americans also have a higher chance of developing hypertension at a younger age than other groups in the U.S. Complications of this disease are associated with kidney disease, blindness, dementia, and heart disease. Risk factors include increased age, excessive weight, family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, inactivity, high dietary salt and fat, and smoking. Doctors recommend these steps to limit your chances of developing hypertension; follow the DASH eating plan, limit salt intake, watch your weight, quit smoking, and medication (3).
Diabetes
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Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2018, The age-adjusted death rate from diabetes among non-Hispanic Black people over the age of 18 years was 47.6% among males and 33.1% among females (1). Complications furthered by Diabetes include Cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, skin conditions, and Alzheimer's disease (2). Risk factors include weight, inactivity, family history, age, race or ethnicity, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes. Prevention methods include getting plenty of physical activity, get plenty of fiber, eat whole grains, lower sugar intake, and an overall balanced diet. (3)
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease, or (CKD), means your kidneys are damaged and can't filter blood as normal. A growing number of Hispanics are diagnosed with kidney disease each year. Since 2000, the number of Hispanics with kidney failure has increased by more than 70 percent. African Americans account for 35 percent of the people with kidney failure in the United States. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure among African Americans. (1) The main risk factors for all races developing kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and a family history of kidney failure. Prevention methods are recommended are avoid salty foods, be active, avoid smoking, and aim for a healthy weight. (2)
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. This includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attacks. American Heart Association stated "CVD age-adjusted death rates are 33% higher for blacks than for the overall population in the U.S. Blacks are nearly twice as likely to have a first stroke and much more likely to die from one than whites. American Indians/Alaska Natives die from heart disease much earlier than expected – 36% are under 65 compared with only 17% for the U.S. population overall." (1) Risk factors are stated as high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, inactivity, obesity, family history and ethnic background. Reducing CVD risk is outlined as stop smoking, balanced diet, exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and cut down on alcohol (2).
Asthma
It is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. It usually results from an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity. American Lung Association (ALA) stated “Blacks and American Indian/Alaska Natives have the highest current asthma rates compared to other races and ethnicities. In 2018, Blacks (10.9%) were 42 percent more likely than Whites (7.7%) to still have asthma. Hispanics (6.4%) and Asians (4.0%) had lower current asthma prevalence rates than other racial and ethnic groups” (1). ALA noted risk factors to include family history, viral respiratory infections, allergies, occupational exposures, smoking, air pollution, and obesity (2). Prevention methods include stay away from allergens, avoid smoking of any type, prevent colds, get your vaccinations, and identify asthma triggers.
Sickle Cell
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. Center for Disease Control and Prevention outlines statics related to race, "SCD affects approximately 100,000 Americans. SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American births. SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births. About 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies is born with sickle cell trait (SCT)" (1). SCD can only be inherited. Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the gene that tells your body to make the iron-rich compound that makes blood red. Complications include stroke, acute chest syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, organ damage, blindness, leg ulcers, and gallstones. There is no prevention if you carry the sickle cell trait, doctors recommend seeing a genetic counselor before trying to conceive to help you understand the risk of having a child with SCD. (2)
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Black men are most heavily affected by this disease. CDC collected data stating 163.8 out of 100,000 are diagnosed yearly (1). Symptoms include trouble urinating, decreased force in the stream of urine, blood in the urine, blood in the semen, bone pain, losing weight without trying, and erectile dysfunction. It’s not clear what causes prostate cancer, if you are at risk of this disease it is recommended to consult a doctor and keep up to date on prostate exams. Risk factors include older age, race, family history, and obesity (2).
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Asian Americans are most affected by this virus. One in 12 Asian Americans is chronically infected, whereas one in 1,000 whites has HBV. In the United States, more than one-third of Asian Americans do not know that they have chronic hepatitis B infection (1). Vaccination is the main preventative action taken to avoid the contraction of this virus (2).
Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. As the name implies, the main characteristic of NAFLD is too much fat stored in liver cells. A meta-analysis in 2018 composed of 34 studies reported that NAFLD prevalence was highest in Hispanics, intermediate in whites, and lowest in blacks. There was a wide variation in NAFLD prevalence rates among studies, ranging from 6.6% to 46.0%. (1) Causes include overweight, obesity, insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and high level of fats. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides in the blood, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Prevention recommends a healthy, balanced, diet, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise (1).
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Alzheimer’s Disease
It is progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the brain. It is the most common cause of premature senility. The Alzheimer’s Association published a report outlining, “African Americans are about two times more likely than white Americans to have Alzheimer's and other dementias. Hispanics are about one and one-half times more likely than whites to have Alzheimer's and other dementias" (1). Age, Family history, and genetics are the main risk factors associated with Alzheimer's. Prevention research has not been conclusive, doctors recommend taking steps to prevent head trauma such as wearing a helmet and seatbelt and continuing social and intellectual activities (2).