WASHINGTON D.C. - A triple threat of poor diet, a mostly sedentary lifestyle and high number of the uninsured or underinsured are putting many Filipinos here at risk of fatal heart diseases – an incidence higher for those living in America than those in the Philippines.
"Hindi naman sila matataba but they still suffer strokes," observed Dr. Edith Bautista-Quint, a private practitioner based in Alexandria, Virginia.
"Mataas ang cholesterol, mataas ang blood pressure. It can also be hereditary but that can be controlled," she added. She places the blame squarely on the Pinoy’s penchant for rich, fatty food, coupled with the lack of exercise.
Dr. Bautista-Quint and other Fil-Am doctors joined a free medical mission in Gaithersburg, Maryland last weekend, volunteering one day’s to help not only Fil-Ams but other minorities as well. The mission was organized by the Philippine Medical Association, Migrant Heritage Commission and the Lion’s Club of greater Washington area.
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| Dr. Zenaida Marcelo of Springfield, Virginia conducts hearing examination on Latino patient who availed of free the free medical mission in Gaithersburg, Maryland. |
"Sa huling medical mission ginawa namin, lumalabas na high blood pressure is the most common problem," she said of the Fil-Ams whom she diagnosed.
"Alam mo diet natin, maalat, ang baboy gusto pa natin yung taba," she explained.
Dr. Josephine Weeks worked in New York and D.C. hospitals before opening a private practice along Wisconsin Ave. in Washington D.C. last year. She specializes in pain management, but said in the course of examining Fil-Am patients, many exhibit a common condition which is high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and other factors that combined, breeds heart disease.
And the condition, long associated with men, is growing among Fil-Am women. "Sa ating kapatiran ng mga babae marami yung bagong diagnosed na matataas ang blood pressure," Dr. Weeks averred.
Many of them, she added, did not know they had it until they saw a doctor for other ailments. She said that in many Fil-Am women she examined, their condition was enough to merit immediate medical intervention.
Dr. Melen McBride of the Stanford School of Medicine in California lamented the lack of comprehensive studies on Fil-Am health in America, despite being the 2nd largest Asian group in the U.S.
But she cited independent studies in Hawaii that showed Filipinos 55-64 years old had a 61% higher death rate from coronary diseases than a similar age group of Filipinos living in the Philippines; and another in California that showed Filipinos had higher prevalence of hypertension compared to average Americans (60% vs 47%).
In a 2006 report, the CDC’s Office of Minority Health listed heart diseases and strokes as the 2nd and 3rd top killers of Asians in America.
But an earlier CDC study showed that heart diseases is the top killer of Filipinos in the U.S., comprising nearly 32% of all deaths.
Lawyer Arnedo Valera of the Migrant Heritage Commission said the problem is aggravated by the large number of uninsured and underinsured Filipinos. He underscored the importance of free health missions to reach out to them, and ensure they receive early detection and treatment of possible heart diseases.
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| Filipino volunteers from the Philippine Medical Association, Migrant Heritage Commission and Lion’s Club of the greater Washington area hold day-long free clinic at the St. Rose de Lima Church community center in Maryland that drew not only Fil-Am patients but also those from other minorities in the area |
"Bukod sa libreng check-up, naka-connect ‘yan sa mga volunteer doctors natin para may continuous treatment," he said, pointing to the free medical mission held that day at the St. Rose de Lima Church community center in Maryland.
"Sa kabuuan ng US medical system, napaka-grabe ng healthcare crisis. For our part, we’re doing our small contribution na naka-focus kami sa Filipino migrants," he explained.
Valera estimated that 65% of Fil-Ams and Filipinos in the U.S. are uninsured and underinsured. This aggravates the health problem, he said, because many are reluctant to seek early medical diagnosis and help.
Dr. Bautista-Quint noted that Filipinos are hard workers, performing tasks sometimes beyond what was expected of them. Going home exhausted, they prefer spending the evening in front of the TV or talking to friends, rather than doing exercise.
Dr. Weeks says there are even more misconceptions among Filipinos about exercise. "Sabihin na natin na ang mga kababayan natin trabaho ng trabaho pero that is not the exercise na kailangan, the kind that can have cardio-vascular benefit or aid metabolism," she explained.
The bottom line, they said, is for Filipinos to take better care of their health. "They want to work to make a living, make money for their families but sometimes they don’t think what would happen if they get sick. They won’t be able to work. What happens to their families then?" asked Dr. Bautista-Quint.
Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
