Health News: Glaucoma, Alzheimer’s Disease, HIV/AIDS in Women and Girls
March 11, 2010 by blackgirlgrown
Filed under health and wellness
World Glaucoma Week
People of African descent have a 3–8 times higher risk than other people to develop open-angle glaucoma. Not only is this group at increased risk, but glaucoma is 15 times more likely to cause blindness in those of African descent 
between the ages of 45–64 than in Caucasians of the same age group. March 7-13th is World Glaucoma Week. Throughout this week people are encouraged to learn about eye health and the importance of regular, comprehensive eye exams. We must take action this month to ensure everyone in our life is receiving regular eye exams. It is also important to know the risk factors. Age and family history play a big role. A joint initiative by Pfizer, World Glaucoma Association and World Glaucoma Patient Association, the All Eyes on Glaucoma campaign has been developed to drive public awareness of risk factors for glaucoma and the critical importance of appropriate diagnosis among at-risk populations.
Minorities more likely to suffer Alzheimer’s Disease
Mary Brophy Marcus, writes in the USA TODAY: As deaths from heart disease and many types of cancers have dipped, living longer is putting more people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, the brain-wasting condition that a new report shows African-Americans and Hispanics are particularly vulnerable to as they grow older. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s report released today, “2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” 5.3 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. African Americans are almost twice as likely as whites to have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and Hispanics are about one and a half times more likely to be stricken with it.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 10th was National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, designed to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. But we must remain aware every day. Did you know that every 35 minutes a woman in the United States tests positive for HIV? Historically, HIV/AIDS has affected more men than women, but that is quickly changing. In the Washington Metro area more and more women have become infected. Today, about one in four Americans living with HIV is a woman. It’s time to act against AIDS and encourage women to get tested. Join Sisters4Sisters, Inc. the creators of The SOS- Saving our Sisters Campaign designed to END HIV-AIDS.
