Ethnicity, Race, and Disease Sourcebook, 1st Ed.

Ethnicity refers to cultural factors, including nationality, ancestry, regional culture, and language. However, race refers to groups of people who have similarities and differences in biological qualities. Based on stroke statistics by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that the risk of having a first stroke is twice as high for blacks compared to whites. It is found that prevalence of arthritis in white/non-Hispanics is 22.6 percent but 15.4 percent for Hispanic/Latinos. These differences highlight the need to study diseases and common conditions across ethnic groups in order to achieve health parity.

Ethnicity, Race, and Disease Sourcebook, First Edition provides information about measuring racial and social determinants of health and barriers to health equity. The book reviews the health status of U.S. populations, including life expectancy and health literacy disparities. It discusses disparities among ethnic groups in detail and genetic predisposition to disease and heritability, along with the importance of family medical history. It also talks about diseases such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, and chronic liver disease in the context of ethnicity and race. The book includes strategies to improve healthcare and eliminate healthcare disparity. It gives insight to patient rights and responsibilities, healthcare fraud, illegal diabetes treatments, and weight-loss scams. A directory of resources provides list of organizations that support healthcare parity.

This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest. Chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part I: An Overview of Ethnicity, Race, and Diseases defines race as a person’s self-identification with one or more social groups. It discusses minority health along with understanding the social determinants of health. It talks about barriers to health equity and the importance of race and ethnicity in health research.

Part II: Race, Ethnicity, and Social Determinants of Health highlights social determinants of health across life stages, early-childhood development and education, employment and economic stability, and the role of social networks in community health.

Part III: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Status Indicators reviews the health status of U.S. populations and life expectancy. It outlines mortality trends across racial and ethnic groups, racial and ethnic barriers to education and employment, and health-services utilization among ethnic populations.

Part IV: Genetics/Genomics and Ethnicity discusses the genetic predisposition to disease and heritability, along with the importance of family medical history. It also explains the genetic conditions, such as sickle cell disease, hemochromatosis, Alzheimer disease, and so on, specific to certain ethnic groups.

Part V: Prevalence and Patterns of Common Conditions in Different Ethnic Groups gives insight into ethnicity, race, and diseases, along with their risk factors. It presents information about diabetes, heart disease, chronic liver disease, asthma, and cancer associated with ethnicity and race. It also talks about mental and behavioral health.

Part VI: Strategies to Improve Healthcare and Eliminate Disparity discusses the strategies and accessibility that are expected to strengthen and modernize our healthcare system. Diet, tobacco cessation, and how to prevent, communicate about, and treat communicable diseases and chronic conditions are also described.

Part VII: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of terms related to ethnicity, race, and diseases, and a directory of resources for additional help and support.