As we celebrate Black History Month – including the culture and rich history of African Americans across the ages – it’s important to note that we are at a point in time for our generation to make new history. Today, we have the opportunity to be a part of the historic movement to bring affordable health coverage to all. As the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”
Whether Dr. King was aware or not, African Americans are disproportionately impacted by several major health issues that make this statement only more profound. High blood pressure, obesity and diabetes are the most common conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, and African Americans are much more likely to be affected by all three of these conditions than the general population.
According to the American Heart Association, the prevalence of high blood pressure in African-Americans is the highest in the world. High blood pressure (HBP), or hypertension as it’s commonly called, increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, and it can cause permanent damage to the heart before you even notice any symptoms, that’s why it is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Not only is HBP more severe in blacks than whites, but it also develops earlier in life.
And when it comes to obesity, 63 percent of African American men and 77 percent of African American women age 20 and older are overweight or obese.
African Americans are also about twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. While diabetes is treatable and preventable, many people don’t recognize early warning signs or don’t seek treatment because they don’t think they can afford it or they fear complications.
As we approach the final days of open enrollment, there’s no better time than now to remind love ones to get covered and take care of their health now. Get Covered Illinois (GCI), the official health Marketplace for Illinois residents, offers plans from top private insurers in the state that include preventive care services and essential health benefits that cover things like diabetes and blood pressure screenings, immunization vaccines and more. By offering these benefits, people can take the right measures to prevent and detect diseases in the early stages.
Three things residents should keep in mind about enrolling are:
- Free in-person help is available near you
- All plans offered through the Marketplace are quality private health insurance plans
- Financial help is available, and more than 80 percent of those who enrolled this year qualified for financial help
With less than a week left to enroll before deadline, GCI is urging residents around the state to get covered by Feb. 15. Those who don’t get covered before the deadline may face a minimum fine of $325 when they file their 2015 taxes.
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