In September, I had both the privilege and honor to attend and present at the 2nd United States Conference on African Immigrant Health 2014 (USCAIH 2014) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA. It was an exciting 2.5 day conference packed with valuable information on the health of the African immigrant in the USA. From diet, hospitalizations and diseases to female genital mutilation and refugee health, we talked about it all. The enthusiasm in the room was palpable as healthcare professionals, scholars and other Africanists shared their knowledge and pledged to be part of the conversation. After spending so much time with like-minded professionals I left invigorated and my passion for African health was further ignited. There were numerous take home messages and lessons learned, I could barely begin to mention them all. Here is just a snippet of some of the key messages presented:
- Africans are arriving in the USA on foot! Yes, on foot, by way of the Mexican border. It is a harrowing, tormentous journey that leaves 86% of those taking this route suffering from depression, 72% from anxiety and 50% from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Unfortunately, more often than not, th
e mental and emotional injuries associated with the journey go untreated and the immigrant is left incapacitated. Grab a box of tissue and watch this video for a glimpse into the journey of the refugee arriving on foot. (I fought tears through the whole clip.Upon arrival, the African immigrant enjoys The Immigrant advantage a phenomenon which places him/her in better health than the average American. As he/she acculturates and trades healthy traditional diets and lifestyles for western-style foods and sedentary lifestyles, this advantage is rapidly diminished. In fact, Studies indicate that 85% of immigrants gain 10-15 kg in the first 2 years of moving to a new country. Before long, chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease set in and the health
- Vital health information often falls on deaf ears because it is not culturally relevant to the immigrant it targets. By not addressing the cultural beliefs and practices that may pose as barriers, health care providers miss the opportunity to connect with their patients and improve outcomes. From a nutrition standpoint, there is an increased need for materials that address traditional ingredients and provide guidance on how to incorporate them in a healthy eating plan.
- Sickle cell anemia is prevalent in malaria prone countries and affects over 200 000 people in Africa. Given the increased emigration rates out of the continent to the rest of the diaspora and the possibility of inter-marriage, genetic counselling and testing may be necessary.
- My new favorite quote came from Mrs. Margaret Korto, “ If you aren’t on the table, then you are on the plate.” Immigrants must advocate for themselves and let their needs known. Only in being visible to the law makers and decision makers will our needs begin to get fully recognized.
- It’s not a one size fits all approach. While fasting blood sugars is the most common method of screening for diabetes, Hgb A1C may be a better indicator of diabetes in the African population. Similarly, BMI may not be the best method of evaluating weight status in this population.
- The culture of silence must be broken and abuse in all its forms (physical, sexual mental, spousal, emotional etc.) must be stopped. There is much unaddressed abuse in our communities and the abused do not a social structure to speak their concerns or ask for help. As a population we need to do a better job of advocating for each other and standing up for what we know to be right. There is no shame in speaking up for oneself or another human being.
- Disease is stigmatized in Africa, and not just the infectious type. Some people are afraid to tell others of their diagnosis because they are worried that they will be ostracized by the society they rely on for survival. Stigmatization of disease must be stopped. It delays access to medical facilities and can be dangerous. There is absolutely no shame in having diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, depression or any disease for that matter. It is part of life and the earlier you recognize it, seek treatment and follow medical guidance, the better your chances of survival.
The most exciting thing for me was that I spent a few days with people who were excited about improving the health of Africans in Africa and the diaspora. Even more invigorating is the fact that there were many African health professionals sitting at the table and telling the story of our health and how to improve it in a culturally relevant manner. As for me, I was part of the conversation with a two great panels discussing diet and lifestyle. In the first panel, I spoke on “The Heart of the Matter: Diet and Lifestyle Changes for Improved Health.” And on the second panel I discussed “Improving African Immigrant Dietary Habits.” More to come on that.
Feeling excited? Join us for USCAIH 2015 to be held in Seattle Washington. Sit at the table. Be part of the conversation.
Here’s to your health.
PS:
FUN FACT: 86% of African immigrants have a high school diplomas and 43% have bachelor’s degrees making Africans the most educated immigrant group in the USA.
