The Impact of Tuberculosis on African Americans
1. Introduction
In this paper we shall discuss in details about tuberculosis and what the African Americans have been thinking of the disease. Tuberculosis is a communicable disease caused by mycobacterium, which usually attacks the lungs, but can also damage other parts of the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2015, there were 9,563 cases of tuberculosis in the United States. Of these cases, 456 were among African Americans, which represented a rate of 4.8 cases per 100,000 population. The CDC also reports that the number of tuberculosis cases has been declining in the United States since 1993; however, the decline has been slower among African Americans than other groups. In addition, the CDC reports that death rates from tuberculosis are higher among African Americans than other groups.
The African American community has been disproportionately affected by tuberculosis for many years. This is due to a number of factors, including poverty, lack of access to health care, and poor housing conditions. In addition, African Americans have generally been mistrustful of the medical establishment and have often been reluctant to seek treatment for Tuberculosis. As a result of these factors, Tuberculosis has had a significant impact on the African American community.
2. What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is a communicable disease caused by mycobacterium, which usually attacks the lungs, but can also damage other parts of the body. The symptoms of tuberculosis include coughing up blood, chest pain, weight loss, fatigue, and fever. If left untreated, tuberculosis can be fatal. Tuberculosis is most commonly spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread through close contact with an infected person, such as sharing a bed or kissing.
Tuberculosis is most commonly diagnosed through a skin test or a chest X-ray. A skin test involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin into the skin and observing for a reaction within 48 hours. A chest X-ray can show evidence of lung damage caused by tuberculosis. Treatment for tuberculosis typically involves taking antibiotics for several months. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove damaged tissue from the lungs.
3. The African American Community and Tuberculosis
The African American community has been disproportionately affected by tuberculosis for many years. This is due to a number of factors, including poverty, lack of access to health care, and poor housing conditions. Poverty is a major risk factor for tuberculosis because it increases exposure to infection and decreases access to treatment. In addition, poor housing conditions can lead to overcrowding and inadequate ventilation, which increase the risk of exposure to infection and make it difficult to treat the disease effectively.
African Americans have generally been mistrustful of the medical establishment and have often been reluctant to seek treatment for Tuberculosis. This mistrust is rooted in historical factors such as experimentation on African Americans during the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and forced sterilization of African American women during the early 20th century (Dixon-Mathers & Philips Jr., 2000). As a result of this mistrust, many African Americans have been reluctant to seek treatment for Tuberculosis even when they are symptomatic (Dixon-Mathers & Philips Jr., 2000).
4. The Impact of Tuberculosis on African Americans
The impact of tuberculosis on African Americans has been significant. Tuberculosis has been a leading cause of death among African Americans for many years (Dixon-Mathers & Philips Jr., 2000). In addition, tuberculosis has had a negative impact on the mental health of African Americans. A study of African American women with tuberculosis found that the majority of participants experienced depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Dixon-Mathers & Philips Jr., 2000). The study also found that the majority of participants experienced stigma and discrimination due to their illness.
5. Treatment of Tuberculosis in African Americans
The treatment of tuberculosis in African Americans has been a challenge due to mistrust of the medical establishment, lack of access to health care, and poor housing conditions. However, recent efforts have been made to improve the treatment of tuberculosis in African Americans. These efforts include community-based outreach programs, home-based care programs, and patient navigation programs. These programs have been effective in increasing access to care and improving treatment outcomes for African Americans with tuberculosis.
6. Conclusion
Tuberculosis is a communicable disease that has had a significant impact on the African American community. The reasons for this include poverty, lack of access to health care, poor housing conditions, and mistrust of the medical establishment. However, recent efforts have been made to improve the treatment of tuberculosis in African Americans. These efforts include community-based outreach programs, home-based care programs, and patient navigation programs. These programs have been effective in increasing access to care and improving treatment outcomes for African Americans with tuberculosis.