Browsing by Author "Sadler, Georgia Robins"
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Item African-American women's perceptions of their most serious health problems.(2005) Sadler, Georgia Robins; Escobar, Rita Paola; Ko, Celine Marie; White, Monique; Lee, Shianti; Neal, Tiffany; Gilpin, Elizabeth AAfrican Americans experience a disproportionate burden of illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease and diabetes are the most common causes of mortality among African Americans. Data were gathered from 1,055 African-American women to gain their perspectives of the most serious health problems affecting African-American women and their related knowledge, attitudes and health promoting behaviors. Women listed CDC's top four causes of mortality as their top four most serious health threats. Cancer was reported as a serious health threat by 81% of the participants, whereas heart disease, the most common cause of mortality and a disease amenable to prevention and early intervention, was mentioned by only 31% of the women. Diabetes was reported by 59% of the women and cerebrovascular disease by 52%. As the Health Belief and other theoretical models would predict, awareness of the seriousness of these four disease groups among African-American women was associated with a greater likelihood of adherence for several of the recommended behaviors. Many opportunities exist for raising women's awareness of these four diseases and linking women's growing health awareness with those health promoting behaviors known to reduce morbidity and mortality.Item Black Cosmetologists Promote Diabetes Awareness and Screening Among African American Women(2004) Sadler, Georgia Robins; Meyer, Margaret W; Ko, Celine Marie; Butcher, Crystal; Lee, Shianti; Neal, Tiffany; Reed, Lynn; Veals, Aaron E; Gilpin, Elizabeth APURPOSE This study evaluated several factors that were thought to contribute to African American women’s disproportionate incidence and sequelae of diabetes. METHODS African American women (1055) living in San Diego County completed surveys about diabetes-related beliefs, screening behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes. Participants’ ages ranged from 20 to 94 years, and 33.7% of the women reported completing college. RESULTS Mose of the women (59%) perceived diabetes to be a serious health threat to African American women. Thirty-two percent of the total sample and 37% of the high-risk group reported having been screened for diabetes within the past year. Nearly 37% reported never having been screened for diabetes, and 31% of those at above-average risk of developing diabetes could not recall ever having been screened. Women had a limited knowledge of the symptoms of diabetes, ways to decrease the risk factors and the sequelae of diabetes. Higher-risk women showed greater diabetes knowledge. CONCLUSIONS Most participants reported that diabetes was a significant threat to their health but lacked sufficient knowledge to protect themselves from the disease. A focused, aggressive education campaign could yield better health outcomes.