Episode 11- Black Health Chronicles: Unpacking Chronic Illness in the Black Community w/Dr. Amanda Adkins, MD

Summary In this episode of 'You Belong In Here', Dr. Tiffany C. Brown interviews Dr. Amanda Atkins, a physician specializing in chronic illness in the Black community. They discuss the impact of chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, and the social determinants affecting health outcomes. Dr. Atkins shares her personal journey into medicine and emphasizes the need for education and awareness in managing health, particularly in underserved communities. Takeaways Chronic illnesses are prevalent in the Black community due to various factors. Education about health is crucial for prevention and management. Self-advocacy in healthcare can lead to better outcomes. Hypertension is often asymptomatic but can be deadly. Lifestyle changes can prevent chronic illnesses. Social determinants of health significantly impact access to care. Food deserts contribute to poor health outcomes. Regular health check-ups are essential for early detection. Women may experience hormonal changes that affect health. Community initiatives can improve access to healthy food. References/Resources Esiaka D, Naemi P, Kuofie A, Hess R. General Well-Being in Adult Black Males With Chronic Illness. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. 2019;5. doi:10.1177/2333721419855664 Hill-Joseph E. Coping while black: Chronic illness, mastery, and the black-white health paradox. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. 2019;6(5):935-943. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/coping-while-black-chronic-illness-mastery-white/docview/2938248500/se-2. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-019-00594-9. Moore, T. L. (2023). The lived experience and meaning of resilience in the setting of chronic illness and low- resource communities of African Americans that reside in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2218221 Social Determinants of Health: https://www.cdc.gov/health-equity-chronic-disease/social-determinants-of-health-and-chronic-disease/index.html https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health Contact Information for Dr. Adkins www.dramandamd.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amanda-adkins-28071a39/