Health Disparities

---

V-FEST aims to address the health disparities in the community. 

Heart disease is the #1 killer in the community. Health is the #1 reason our parents, friends and residents are dying. “African Americans died from stroke at a rate 44 percent higher than that for whites during the same time period. These disparities indicate that African Americans die from heart disease and stroke at much younger ages than whites, Asian Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos.”  

The Black infant mortality rates are more than double the rates of white babies in Minnesota. Infant deaths per 1,000 live births. 

What causes infant mortality? Poverty, poor housing, less education, no health care insurance coverage prior to pregnancy, racism and chronic race-related stress, and the absence of social support networks including a caring partner-all are associated with increased rates of infant mortality.

Chronic Stress

Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increase blood cholesterol levels in the body that can lead to blood clots (which affects oxygen getting the the brain and can have a devastating impact on one’s mental health and body.   (https://sites.ualberta.ca/~jennyy/_private/00125528-200208000-00004.pdf)

Race Related Stress

Race-related stress is discussed as an outcome of perceived racism creating emotional abuse and psychological trauma.Race Related stress affects your well-being. Reactions to racial stress of trauma include: 

Isolation and withdrawal, difficulty controlling emotions, depression, drug addictions, and even suicide. (https://sites.ualberta.ca/~jennyy/_private/00125528-200208000-00004.pdf)