AAFP Partners with Kaiser Permanente and the Institute of Church Administration and Management to Produce "Caring for Your Family's Health: A Guide for African Americans"

LEAWOOD, Kan. – In an effort to address the health disparities of the African-American patient population, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has partnered with Kaiser Permanente and the Institute of Church Administration and Management (ICAM) to produce “Caring for Your Family’s Health: A Guide for African Americans.” This 28-minute video and accompanying guidebook focuses on African-American health concerns and encourages individuals to take charge of their health.

African-Americans have an increased risk for certain chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. The video stresses the concept of “knowing your numbers” – knowing the healthy range for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI), and what your personal “numbers” are in each category.

Also discussed are preventative strategies specific to these chronic illnesses and tips on incorporating healthy living into your lifestyle. The video encourages African-Americans to take charge of their health by knowing their family history and developing a positive relationship with their family physician.

A companion guidebook is available with the video and provides useful health information and charts that the individual may fill out with their personal health information.

Family physicians Philip N. Bernard, M.D., and Adrienne Mims, M.D., both Kaiser Permanente physicians, who share a strong interest in the health concerns unique to the African-American community, are the featured physicians in the video.

“African-Americans are intrinsically at higher risk for a number of chronic health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. We are pleased to partner on an initiative that will help raise awareness for these and other health concerns that disproportionately affect the African-American community,” said Dr. Mary Frank, president of the AAFP. “It is our hope that this effort will help fill the existing gap in disparities in care and treatment of these conditions among this patient population.”

“Caring for Your Family’s Health: A Guide for African Americans” aired in five major media markets throughout the month of February: Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Atlanta, San Francisco-Oakland and Cleveland. The video will be distributed by the three partnering organizations over the next year to African-American church leaders and physicians.