May is National Women’s Health Month, and experts are reminding women to prioritize their health and well-being.
Brenda Shelton-Dunston, executive director of the Philadelphia Black Women’s Health Alliance, said the worst of the pandemic showed that Black women’s health was at the top of the curve as far as health disparities.
She said her organization works to help improve healthcare outcomes and reduce disparities for women of color through awareness.
“We provide education and increase knowledge,” said Shelton-Dunston. “First, explain what a health disparity is. Health disparities are basically preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence or opportunities to achieve an optimal health status.”
Shelton-Dunston said they provide strategies and approaches that can be used to prevent chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
She said the Office of Minority Health reports that – per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – African American women are nearly 50% more likely to have high blood pressure, compared with non-Hispanic white women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that women who are caregivers are at greater risk for poor physical and mental health.
Shelton-Dunston said it is important for women to focus on their mental health and to take time out for themselves while they are caring for their loved ones.
“You have ultimate responsibility for you and for your self-care,” said Shelton-Dunston. “How do you accomplish that? Making that a priority, making you a priority.”
She added that their Prime Time Sister Circle program helps women understand that they won’t be able to take care of anyone else unless they take care of themselves first.
Dr. Donna O’Shea is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist and the chief medical officer for population health at UnitedHealthcare. She said as younger women begin adulthood it’s important to take preventive steps so chronic health issues do not begin to take hold.
“So it still is important to eat a balanced diet, and perhaps even more, so to have a consistent strength and cardiovascular training routine, that can also help minimize the stress,” said O’Shea. “As you know, stress hurts us in many ways. ”
O’Shea urged women to make appointments for any screenings they may have put off during COVID, such as a mammogram or screenings for cervical or colon cancer.
She added that the good news is that colon cancer screening is an excellent way to catch it early so that it can be treated and cured.
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