The facts are the facts.
Black people living with HIV and AIDs face a higher risk of all kinds of health-related issues. Not only do Black Americans account for nearly 40 percent of the U.S. population with HIV (despite being just ~14 percent of the population overall), but they also may carry certain other risk factors that increase the challenge of life with HIV.
But there’s plenty of hope. Let’s cover six unexpected challenges you may face and what to do.
1. Heart Disease
According to the Office of Minority Health, Black people are roughly 30 percent more likely to die from heart-related issues than non-whites. Unfortunately, HIV increases these risks further. According to one global analysis of heart disease among HIV patients, those with HIV are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease as those who do not.
While the reasons for this are still unclear, there is no need to excessively worry. In fact, the Black community has many ways to reduce these risks. Simple changes to diet, exercise, and stress in general can do wonders. Opt for lower-salt foods, less processed food, and a healthier balance of dark greens, lean meats, and whole grains.
As for exercise, get out and about, but keep it simple. Walking with light weights, practicing yoga, or simply practicing deep breaths are all ways to get exercise but keep your energy strong. These basic changes not only help with physical conditioning but change the chemistry of your brain, increasing positive emotions and reducing negative feelings associated with excess stress.
RELATED: Day 1: Just Diagnosed with HIV
2. Diabetes
Diabetes is a pain in the neck (and everywhere), but that doesn’t mean you need to suffer immensely from it. While HIV can increase your risk of diabetes and even make preexisting diabetes worse due to inflammation, you do have ways to treat it.
What do you do? Simple. Even though Black folks are as much as 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed compared to other races, this doesn’t mean your fate is sealed. While eating more organic foods and getting regular exercise are always recommended, don’t forget something else…
Medication. Talk to your doctor about alternatives to ‘nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.’ If you’re on drugs like
