Results of the 2011 Health Survey of African Americans in Denver

Learn to…Live Well!

About the 2011 Survey of African Americans in DenverIn 2011, the Center for African-American Health conducted the most scientific survey to-date of members of black churches in its Faith & Health Ministries program. In conjunction with researchers from the University of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center and the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, we surveyed more than 2,000 members of 42 black churches in metro Denver about their health status and their health behaviors. The findings documented that disparities continue to exist in chronic diseases affecting African Americans and that we can still do more to improve some of our health behaviors. But there also was good news to be found in the survey results. Namely, we have done better at getting some health screenings and we are more aware of the signs and symptoms of some health conditions.

Following are major highlights of the 2011 health survey of African Americans in Denver. Results of the full survey can be found at www.caahealth.org

1. More African Americans are getting screened for breast cancer and prostate cancer.Screenings for certain types of cancers, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, can lead to the detection of these diseases at an early, often highly treatable, stage.

Survey Results: 76% of African-American men 45 or older surveyed reported being screened for prostate cancer in the past two years. This is considerably higher than the percentage of men overall in Colorado (51%).

Also, 76% of women African-American women 40 years or older in the survey reported being screened for breast cancer in the past two years. This compared to 70% of women in Colorado overall.

Keep it up! Screening saves lives. The Center for African-American Health helps African Americans get screened for breast cancer and prostate cancer, as well as high blood pressure, diabetes and colon cancer. The Center makes many free health screenings available at the annual African-American Health Fair in February and in other community settings throughout the year.

2. More African Americans know the symptoms of heart disease and stroke.It’s important to know the warning signs of heart attack and stroke, because the sooner treatment is received, the better the chance of surviving.

Survey Results: The majority of survey respondents recognized the warning signs:Heart attack warning signs: Stroke warning signs:

• pain in the jaw, neck or back (55%) • trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance (77%)• discomfort in the arms or shoulders (76%) • severe headache with no known cause (64%)

Educate yourself! The more you understand about your health, the more you can do to prevent getting sick. The Center for African-American Health produces culturally-relevant health education materials about the major diseases affecting African Americans and offers a variety of classes and workshops.

3. A high percentage of African Americans have health care coverage.Good health depends on many things, including access to quality health care. Research shows that people with health insurance have better access to health care services and experience better outcomes than people who are uninsured.

Survey Results: 83% of survey respondents have health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans, or government plans. This is comparable to the state rate of 85%.

Let’s get everyone covered! People without health coverage are less likely to receive preventive care, are frequently diagnosed when their disease are more advanced, and are more likely to die prematurely. The Center for African-American has health outreach workers who can help find coverage for the uninsured.

THe GooD NewS

1. African Americans surveyed in Denver, like African Americans all across the country, have higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Survey Results: 11.3% of African Americans surveyed have diabetes, which is twice that of the Colorado population in general (5.6%). 33.6% of African Americans surveyed were obese, much higher than the state average of 20.1%. 36.2% of those surveyed have high blood pressure, 1-1/2 times the average in Colorado (21.9%).

In the survey, women were more likely to be obese and men were more likely than women to have diabetes.

Know the Facts! The Center for African-American Health offers a variety of disease prevention and disease management programs, including Project Power, a church-based program to educate African Americans how to prevent diabetes, nutrition and healthy cooking classes, and exercise classes for seniors.

2. Most people surveyed responded, incorrectly, that diabetes can be cured. While diabetes cannot be cured, it can be managed with proper medication, diet and exercise.

Survey Results: 79% of African Americans surveyed thought diabetes could be cured.

Live Well with Diabetes! The Center for African-American Health offers a proven diabetes self-management class for people living with diabetes and their caregivers. The six-week class is offered year-round in community settings throughout Denver.

3. As is the case for many Americans, eating enough fruits and vegetables was a challenge for those surveyed.Survey Results: Four out of five survey respondents report they do not eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables.

Know the Facts: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day for good health. And food choices can have a big impact on your health. Check out the Center’s web site at www.caahealth.org for heart healthy recipies with the African-American culture in mind.

wHeRe we CAN Do BeTTeR

ReSouRCeS AND PRoGRAmS

The 2011 Survey of African Americans in Denver was funded by the National Institutes of Health through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as an administrative supplement to the Colorado Clinical and Translational Services Institute. We would like to thank all of the participating church pastors, liaisons, and congregations. Read the full survey report at www.caahealth.org, or call the Center at 303-355-3423 for a copy.

3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Denver, CO 80205 phone: 303.355.3423 • fax: 303.355.1807 www.caahealth.org

Offered by the Center for African-American Health for Disease Prevention and Chronic Disease Management

Health Education Materials• Learn to Live Well with Diabetes • An African American’s Guide to Breast Health• You Can Prevent Colorectal Cancer • Depression and African Americans• “Live Well” e-newsletter • The African-American Man and His Prostate • The African-American Man’s Playbook on • Cardiovascular Disease and African Americans:

Cardiovascular Disease What You Should Know

Health ScreeningsCall the Center for African-American Health for help with screening information and referral for:• High blood pressure • Prostate cancer • Colon cancer• Diabetes • Breast cancer

Disease Management and Health Promotion Classes• Diabetes self-management • Nutrition/healthy cooking• Chronic disease-self management • Exercise and nutrition classes for seniors• Heart Health Workshop • Fall prevention workshops for seniors• Project POWER: Diabetes Awareness Workshop

Special Health Programs/Events• Annual African-American health fair (February)• American Heart Month initiatives (February)• National Colon Cancer Awareness Month activities (March)• Annual Destination Health 5K Run/Walk and Health Expo (Summer)• Prostate Cancer Awareness Month education and screening activities (September)• American Diabetes Month outreach and education (November)