Message from the Health and Wellness Committee

Message from the

Health and Wellness Committee Mu Lambda Health and Wellness Committee (MLHWC)

Mu Lambda Brothers,

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, National Autism Month, and Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Below are some articles of interest addressing these topics. Please click on the links or cut and paste into your browser to read the entire articles.

Health and Wellness Focus on African Americans

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Among African Americans

The U.S. Bureau of the Census estimates that there are 44 million people of African origin living in the country, comprising 13.4% of the total population.1 African Americans are overrepresented among drug abusers in the United States, but they are also more likely to seek treatment for their drug addiction. Unfortunately, studies show that this population experiences less favorable outcomes upon the completion of substance abuse treatment. Here we will discuss the statistics of substance abuse among African Americans and explore treatment options and outcomes. Substance Abuse Among African Americans The rates of substance abuse among African Americans are similar to those of the general population, although there are some slight differences. Findings from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health include:2 • 6.9% of African Americans have a substance use disorder compared to a rate of 7.4% among the total population. • 3.4% of African Americans have an illicit drug use disorder compared to a rate of 3% among the total population. • Past month illicit drug use among African Americans (13.7%) is more than Caucasians (12%) and Hispanics (9.7%). • Past month marijuana use among African Americans (12.2%) is higher than the general population (10.1%). • African Americans report lower lifetime use of cocaine (8.5%) compared to Caucasians (17.6%) and Hispanics (11.1%). • Alcohol use disorders are less common among African Americans (4.5%) than the total population (5.4%). • Binge drinking among African Americans (23%) is slightly less common than in Hispanics (24.6%) and Caucasians (25.7%). • The rate of heavy drinking among African Americans (4.3%) is much less than the general population (6.1%) and Caucasians (7.2%).

For more information on Alcohol and drug abuse among African Americans – please click the links below - https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-statistics/africanamericans

African American children with autism experience long delays in diagnosis

Diagnosing autism in children as early as possible is essential to improving their language, social and cognitive skills. But often the diagnosis is made relatively late — even after some children begin elementary school. In the United States, diagnostic delays and barriers in access to developmental therapy for those with autism are particularly pronounced among children from minority groups. A new study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis highlights the nature of those obstacles and the high stakes of health disparity for African American children affected by autism spectrum disorder, who typically face longer delays in diagnosis than white children. Although it’s now possible to diagnose autism in children before age 2, most kids are 4 or older when they receive a diagnosis. In this study involving 584 African American children at four autism centers across the United States, the average African American child already was almost 5½ years old at the time of diagnosis, despite the fact parents first had expressed concerns about their kids’ development more than three years earlier. Nationally, white children are diagnosed an average of six months earlier than African American children. For more information on Autism, please visit - https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/african-americanchildren-with-autism-experience-long-delays-in-diagnosis/

10 Mouth Cancer Symptoms

The term cancer refers to the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in one part of the body, that can end up damaging other cells of surrounding tissues and organs. Mouth cancer is any cancer that affects the oral cavity and other tissues within it. It includes cancers of the mouth itself, the tongue, the gums, the lips, cheeks, palates, and the pharynx.

Close to 50,000 cases of mouth cancer are diagnosed in the United States annually. It is more common in people older than 40 years with two-thirds of the cases occurring in men compared to women. Studies indicate that most oral cancer cases result from the use of tobacco and alcohol, and due to infection with human papilloma virus, also referred to as HPV. The following are mouth cancer symptoms, some of which may also be present in other conditions.

Symptom #1: Ulcer That Does Not Heal

An ulcer that occurs anywhere within the mouth and does not easily heal may be a sign of oral cancer. This is a common mouth cancer symptom that is present in about 8 of every 10 cases. While other mouth diseases may also be accompanied with oral sores, these tend to heal rapidly with proper treatment. However, mouth sores associated with mouth cancer remain unhealed for more than three weeks.

Another differentiating factor is that while non-cancerous sores are normally soft and do not usually bleed, cancerous sores are hard, red, thick and will usually bleed.

Symptom #2: White Patches

Sometimes, white patches on the tongue, gums, floor or roof of the mouth, the inside surface of the cheeks or any other parts of the mouth can be considered premalignant lesions of oral cancer. The condition, known as leukoplakia is usually caused by smoking or other irritants.

The thick, flat, white patches are normally painless, and can’t be scrapped off. Other premalignant lesions can be red (erythroplakia), red and white (erythroleukoplakia), or verrucous (verrucous leukoplakia). However, not all cases of leukoplakia transform into cancer.

For more information on the 10 Mouth Cancer Symptoms – please click the link below.

https://10faq.com/health/mouth-cancer-symptoms/?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=701-

717-3049-

1446861785&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=63252522464&utm_term=%2Bmouth%20%2Bc

ancer&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6J-

SBhCrARIsAH0yMZh2sXz211d4LASiFOfzeRGPWrxq9opFnWYgWgn83jBdKLJSwYKMzL4

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For Brothers looking to participate in the Mu Lambda’s Health and Wellness Committee (MLHWC) activities, please contact Bro. Derrick Butts dabutts@mac.com - who is filling in until one or more brothers will step-up/volunteer. Thank you for your participation and support of the MLHWC!

Bro. Derrick Butts and Bro. Barrington Ross

Congratulation to Brother Derrick Butts on a successful Meet & Greet at the 91st Southern Regional Conference in the Senior Lounge