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February is Black History Month and it's Cardiovascular Month.
This gives us the opportunity to recognize the incredible people of Nashville who have revolutionized the health sector while addressing the racial disparities that still exist in the community.
The film "Something the Lord has done" describes the real story of Vivien Thomas of Nashville, who overcame poverty and racial inequality to become a pivotal figure who pioneered modern cardiac surgery.
"We have a lot of people that everyone needs to be informed about," said Dr. Andre Churchwell, a cardiologist and diversity officer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Dr. Levi Watkins was the first surgeon to successfully implant an automatic defibrillator in humans.
It is only two African Americans with ties to Nashville who have made critical contributions that have revolutionized the cardiovascular health sector.
Heart disease and stroke remain the number one killer in America, even more so if you are black.
"You're less likely to be brought to the emergency room, and the time to get there is much longer than it would be in the white community," Churchwell said.
"We have problems with the white population and we have spent a lot of money in these areas, but there are clear health disparities that affect marginalized populations."
According to the American Heart Association, African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and more likely to be obese, all of which contribute to heart disease.
"We stay at home with our heart disease and let it reach a critical stage before finally being brought by our family to the emergency room because we do not trust the medical system," said Churchwell.
Churchwell said it was a problem that affected everything Nashville.
"We can not succeed in our country without addressing the health disparities that affect all groups," said Churchwell.
The American Heart Association is employing to install health clinics in low-income areas and to improve the messages, in the hope of building a climate of trust between the health sector and the community. health and the African-American community.
"Disparities in health need to be treated morally, but if you really need to see this as a business investment, consider it that way," said Churchwell.
Churchwell said many sufferers do not consult their doctors because they do not have the money and choose to feed their families instead of treating hypertension and heart disease.
It was also suggested that access to dietetic foods was limited in low-income communities, that there were no safe parks to practice and that it was unable to afford the means of transport to access to these products.
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