Question 3
Why do you think that the rates of Cardiovascular Disease and type 2 Diabetes for these Native Americans are so much higher than the rest of the US population?
posted by Anonymous @ 10:14 PM
14 comments
ISU Dietetic Internship Journal Club
Objective: To become familiar with current scientific literature on a variety of nutrition topics and to gain experience in gathering, organizing, critically evaluating, presenting and facilitating group discussion of the literature and the implications to practice.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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14 Comments:
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Due to the genetic, environmental, and cultural heterogeneity that exists within ethnic and racial groups, the study of disease differences between Native Americans and Northern European Descendants is probably very complicated. Native Americans are most likely exposed to different vascular risks and/or have different attitudes towards health and illness than Americans. These differences could essentially influence whether or not an individual chooses to seek medical help. Education and income could also explain these differences.
Cultural differences as well as genetics probably play a large role in the rates of CVD and type 2 DM. It has been proven that some ethnic groups are more predisposed to some disease than others, and example: African American and sickle cell anemia. In addition some cultures do handle health care differently than others. This particular group as do amny others may not take advantage of doctors and hospitals before it becomes late in the stages of their illnesses.
Shelby and Anna -
You girls both hit on all of the possible reasons that I could think of!
The rates of Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes may by higher for these Native Americans because they may have less access to media information that expresses the negative impact that the typical American diet can have on health. Additionally, the Native Americans may not have access to educational resources regarding nutritional health that the rest of the American population utilizes.
I didn't even think about genetic predispositions-that is definately a major factor.
Okay, my answer for question 2 also applies here. Lower SES and education levels along with genetics and cultural connections, among others are all possible contributing factors to why this population has an increased risk and occurrence of CVD and diabetes.
Anna, you hit the one I thought of after i posted! This a group that due to cultural traditions, this is a group that may not seek modern medical help, which could cause the increase in the CVD and diabetes rates.
I agree with Rachel that lack of access due to living remotely plus poverty play into the high levels of these diseases in this population. Also, I agree that this group might not seek medical help due to tradition, but they might not seek it simply because it is not as available to them as it is to the rest of the US population - a question of access again.
I agree with you all about the genetics of this population playing a major role here. For a population that was used to eating such a healthy diet for hundreds of years to so suddenly be exposed to the convenience foods of the rest of the United States was probably quite a shock for their bodies to deal with. Other Americans were likely exposed to these foods little by little as they have become more and more popular over the years. It's not like grocery stores went from being extremely healthy one week to being packed full of convenience foods the next, which is basically what happened to the Native Americans.
Jenn,
I think you make a very good point about the possibility of this group having less access to the facts about the negative impacts of these foods. This, in combination with their apparent genetic predisposition for diabetes and CVD, has caused quite a problem for the Native Americans' health status as a population.
Jen, you make a good point regarding media access and educational resources. Rachel, I also agree with you, as lower SES and education levels go hand in hand with my theory behind not seeking medical help.
Obviously, genetics can play a major role in the prevalence of certain diseases. In addition, education levels and income can also pay a role, as mentioned in my previous response.
Shelby -
I did not even think about the ways in which certain groups handle health situations. It's very true that some cultures handle health problems in ways other than visiting a doctor or taking prescription medication. Good thought!
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