6 Screenings EVERY Black Adult Should be Getting

Tackling health problems doesn’t have to be a headache.  While sometimes a condition can catch us off guard, the best offense we can play is defense. But enough with the sports analogies. It’s all about being proactive. Why wait till it’s a problem if you can ensure it never becomes a problem? Given the higher rates of health issues like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes in the Black community, it’s especially important that you do your best.  And part of that includes getting screened.  So let’s get into it. Here are six health screenings EVERY Black adult needs to be getting, pronto. 1. Diabetes Did you know Black adults have almost twice the risk of a diabetes diagnosis as white adults? Even worse, they have higher rates of bad outcomes, such as kidney failure, vision loss, and even amputation.  When getting screened for diabetes, you may undergo various tests. These typically include what’s called an A1C test, an oral glucose test, or a fasting blood sugar test. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor what each entails, as they all have different procedures.  According to the American Diabetes Association, if you’re 45 and older, you should get tested every three years....