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health Defender Special Edition
Respiratory diseases plague Blacks By LAGLORIA WHEATFALL Defender
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healthy lung and respiratory system is essential to quality of life, but for many AfricanAmericans, their well-being is threatened with every breath they take. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in African-Americans, and cancer itself is the second leading cause of Dr. Michael Byrd death. Statistics from the Centers for Disease and Control show that chronic lower respiratory disease – including asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema – is the No. 6 cause of death for African-Americans. Influenza and pneumonia is the No. 11 cause of death. A number of causes can be identified in developing respiratory diseases, such as inhalation of toxic agents, accidents and smoking. Infections, genetic factors, and anything else that affects lung development, either directly or indirectly, can cause respiratory symptoms.
Quitting smoking, however, is the No. 1 way to fight many lung and respiratory illnesses. In the U.S., cigarette smoking is linked to about 90 percent of lung cancers, and smoking is also the primary risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “Smoking among African-Americans is a serious problem as this population suffers disproportionately from deadly and preventable diseases associated with smoking,” said Michael Byrd, M.D., an otolaryngologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital. Byrd cited American Lung Association (ALA) statistics that show African-American men are 34 percent more likely to develop lung cancer than white men, even though their overall exposure to cigarette smoke is lower. Black women tend to smoke less than white women, but the two groups have similar lung cancer rates. “Besides increasing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and many other diseases, smoking causes a wide range of respiratory illnesses…,” Byrd said. “Smoking also worsens asthma and counteracts asthma
NOVEMBER 20 | 2014 | DEFENDER
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Famous Blacks impacted Jerome Bettis – The former NFL running back was diagnosed with asthma at age 14 after passing out during high school football practice. “Even the hardest hitting players in the National Football League cannot take my breath away like asthma,” he said. Sherman Hemsley – The star of “The Jeffersons” and “Amen” died of complications from lung cancer in 2012 at the age of 74. According to reports, Hemsley suffered from a rare respiratory condition, superior vena cava syndrome. Bernard “Bernie Mac” McCullough – The comedian and actor died in 2008 at the age of 50 after suffering from the respiratory disease sarcoidosis. Scientists believe sarcoidosis is an immune system disease brought on by a failure of the body’s natural defense system. Shaquille O’Neal – The former NBA superstar has sleep apnea and uses a continuous positive airway pressure device to help him breathe easier at night. “...I feel good, got a lot of energy, everything is working,” he said.
medication by worsening airway inflammation.” In addition to lung cancer, asthma is another problem impacting African-Americans, who are three times more likely to be hospitalized and three times more likely to die from asthma. “More Americans than ever before say they are suffering from asthma,” Byrd said. “The ALA says it is one of this country’s most common and costly diseases with more than 10 million outpatient visits and 479,000 hospitalizations. “Asthma is more common among children (7 to 10 percent) than adults (3 to 5 percent). With nearly five million asthma sufferers under age 18, it is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting more than one child in 20.” Sleep apnea – repetitive pauses during sleep – is another common respiratory problem among African-Americans. “Generally, African-Americans face a higher risk for sleep apnea than any other ethnic group in the United States, and people with a family history of obstructive sleep apnea are at increased risk of developing the condition,” Byrd said. “Strong evidence suggests that obesity may increase the risk of obstructed breathing during sleep,” Byrd added. “The lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals have resulted in the vast majority of people with the illness remaining undiagnosed and, therefore, untreated.”
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