Preventative Healthcare
The only way to really benefit from the U.S healthcare system is to either be ridiculously wealthy, or to not get sick at all. This system is so complex and expensive that by the time you have a chronic condition that requires treatment, you've already become a product of the system.
Our current society does not put as much as an emphasis on preventative care and community health services because the system makes more money providing reactive or tertiary care. They actually tell med students to specialize instead of become primary care doctors because they can make more and pay off their medical school debt fasters (contributing to a national shortage in primary care physicians).
Think about it this way. Which costs more?
seeing your primary care doctor once or twice a year
seeing a specialist for a life threatening condition every few months
👀 I don't know about ya'll, but I'd rather save that money for something I actually want to spend money on... like traveling, buying a house, or going to a Beyonce concert!
But on a serious note...
For African Americans, the leading causes of death are
Heart Disease
Cancer
Stroke
For Hispanics, the leading causes of death are
Cancer
Heart Disease
Unintentional Injuries
So what can we do to prevent this?
HEALTHY EATING, CONSISTENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY , and checking in with your PRIMARY CARE doctor are just a few things you can do to prevent future chronic conditions. And I know its not easy... I'm sitting here right now contemplating if I should go to the gym, or take a nap later. But we as people of color already have enough working against us everyday. So take the necessary steps to take care of yourself, but all you've got is your health and your life.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions, so comment below or send me an email at thehealthcarescoop@gmail.com and follow me on Instagram at @yourhealthcarescoop