Some level of anxiety is normal and a natural reaction embedded in our bodies. For instance, in a dangerous situation, our bodies respond by releasing hormones that help us recognize the danger, heightening our awareness to help us focus on finding a solution. Commonly called “fight or flight” response, this can be the good side of anxiety.

But when anxiety goes beyond normal nervousness or is heightened at the wrong times, it can interfere with your ability to function, trigger overreactions or leave you unable to control how you respond in certain situations. At that point it may have risen to the level of an anxiety disorder.

Understanding your symptoms and recognizing their cause can help you regain a feeling of safety and get through a period of anxiety or a panic attack. Panic attacks can be very frightening and come with chest pain. Don’t dismiss symptoms of a heart attack. No matter your age or overall health, seek emergency care if you might be having a heart attack.

“Your primary care provider, especially one who knows you from annual checkups as well as treating you when you are sick, can help if you are experiencing anxiety,” said Joshua H. Brandon, M.D., a family practice physician with Norton Community Medical Associates primary care. If medication is warranted, as a rescue measure or for long-term treatment, a primary care provider can help.

Sometimes anxiety can be an early sign of another illness such as heart disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome. Consulting with your primary care provider can help identify the cause of your anxiety.

Norton Community Medical Associates primary care providers work in collaboration with Norton Behavioral Medicine providers. Your primary care provider may refer you for short-term therapy sessions, either in-person or remotely, to help you with your anxiety.

In addition to anxiety symptoms of restlessness and excessive or intense fear, physical anxiety symptoms can include:

• Muscle tension
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Hyperventilation
• Dry mouth

Unexplained general aches and pain often are the symptoms of depression that patients first bring up before their primary care providers reach a depression diagnosis.

Types of anxiety disorders

Common anxiety disorders, according to the American Psychiatric Association, include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder. This is ongoing and excessive worry that interferes with daily life. The worries often focus on everyday situations such as situations at work, health of family members and even more mundane situations such as finishing chores around the house, keeping appointments and the like. Pain, including chronic pain, is often a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder.

Some with generalized anxiety disorder may consider it “high- functioning anxiety.” You may seem fine and even successful in many parts of life, but struggle with self-criticism, persistent fears and stress. You may have become skilled at covering up persistent worry, fear and a feeling of being on edge.

• Social anxiety disorder. Formerly known as social phobia, this anxiety comes along with undue discomfort about embarrassment, rejection or humiliation in a social situation. It becomes an issues when you avoid the social situation or push through despite intense anxiety. To be a classified as a mental health disorder, the severe anxiety interferes with daily functioning for at least six months.
• Panic disorder. This is related to panic attacks — a combination of physical and emotional symptoms, including a pounding heart, sweating, shaking, a sense of being smothered, light-headedness and a fear of losing control.
• Separation anxiety disorder. This is an excessive fear of being separated from someone close to you. The level of fear isn’t appropriate for your age and persists for a month or so in children and six months in adults. Physical symptoms often develop in childhood and can persist into adulthood.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn’t known, but risk factors include family members with an anxiety disorder, suggesting genetic as well as environmental involvement.

Other mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, hoarding disorder and an eating disorder, are associated with anxiety.

The post Amid the fear and restlessness of anxiety, don’t overlook the physical symptoms appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Both can perform basic health assessments, write prescriptions, and provide flu shots or other immunizations.

Most insurance plans cover an annual visit with each.

What is the difference between a primary care provider and an OB/GYN?

An OB/GYN is focused on health issues related to women’s health. This includes reproductive and sexual health, breast health, pregnancy, menopause and issues that arise, such as heavy periods, sores, rashes or itchiness in genital areas, and urinary tract infections.

A primary care provider does not ignore women’s health issues, but is focused on the whole person. They are trained to treat a wide range of conditions, including heart disease, diabetes or depression.

“OB/GYNs and primary care physicians are specially trained in their fields, and their expertise is different. That’s why seeing both an OB/GYN and a primary care provider is the best way for a woman to be healthy and stay healthy,” said Christina Breit, MD with Norton Community Medical Associates primary care offices.

READ MORE: What’s the right age to start getting Pap smear tests?

OB/GYNs are trained in two specialties, obstetrics and gynecology. Obstetrics covers all aspects of pregnancy care. Gynecology involves all other women’s health issues. An OB/GYN is primary care physician, but the focus is on women’s health.

Pediatric gynecologists typically see patients up to when they turn 21.

What is the difference between an annual checkup versus a women’s well exam?

By making an annual wellness visit to an OB/GYN, a woman can receive a pelvic exam, and a Pap smear, and can take care of other women’s health-related issues. An OB/GYN also is trained in issues such as infertility, menopause, high-risk pregnancies and cancers of the reproductive system.

A primary care provider includes doctors in family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Their focus is overall health. Primary care providers can perform screenings and care for chronic conditions and other health issues.

An annual check up, or physical, is recommended for women and men so a primary care provider can review their medical history, look for potential health risks, update vaccinations, and discuss mental health and other issues. A primary care provider can also make referrals to specialists such as cardiologists, oncologists, endocrinologists and more.

A board-certified primary care physician has received obstetrics and gynecology training, though not as much as an OB/GYN, and they are more concerned with overall health. Still, many primary care physicians do pelvic exams, screenings for sexually transmitted infections, Pap smears and breast exams as part of an annual well-woman exams.

“If you’re healthy and have no specific gynecological issues, then you can go to your primary care provider for your annual well-woman exam, but it’s a good see an OB/GYN and establish a rapport with a woman’s health specialist for times when issues arise,” Dr. Breit said.

What do obstetricians do?

If you are planning to become pregnant, or are pregnant, you should see an OB/GYN.

Obstetricians provide care before you conceive, while you’re pregnant and through delivery. Aside from providing prenatal care for you and your baby, an obstetrician can diagnose and treat complications that may come up.

Obstetricians are caring for you and your unborn baby. When you’re pregnant, conditions such as high blood pressure or preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and morning sickness can be addressed by an obstetrician.

Obstetricians also perform surgical procedures such as episiotomies, cesarean delivery if a vaginal delivery isn’t safe, and cervical cerclage.

If necessary, your obstetrician may work with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist to help you through a complex pregnancy. Maternal-fetal medicine is a specialty that takes care of you and your unborn baby. Your Norton Women’s Care OB/GYN connects you to a comprehensive range of women’s specialists, including the team at the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program.

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What kind of tick causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever?

Ticks in Kentucky include wood ticks and dog ticks. Lyme disease is spread by deer ticks, but is fairly uncommon in Kentucky. Ticks are present year-round, but they are most active from March to September.

“Rocky mountain spotted fever is one of the most common tick-borne illnesses in the state,” said Christina M. Breit, M.D., internal medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates. “It’s important to check yourself and your family for ticks after hiking or spending time in wooded or grassy areas.”

How would I catch Rocky Mountain spotted fever?

Recent exposure to ticks in an area where the disease is known to occur puts you at higher risk for contracting RMSF. The disease is unlikely to be transmitted to a person by a tick that has been attached for less than 20 hours. About 1 in 1,000 wood and dog ticks carry the bacteria. Bacteria also can infect people who crush ticks they have removed from skin or from pets with their bare fingers.

Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Many people don’t even realize they have been bitten by a tick.

The rash associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever can look like red splotches or red pinpoint dots. While almost all patients with RMSF will develop a rash, it often does not appear early in illness, which can make RMSF difficult to diagnose.

If you show any of these symptoms, see a health care provider right away. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be fatal, even in previously healthy people.

Symptoms by time frame

One to four days after exposure:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Malaise
• Muscle aches and pains
• Swelling around eyes and on the back of hands
• Nausea and vomiting

Five or more days after exposure

• Altered mental status, coma, cerebral edema
• Difficulty breathing
• Necrosis, requiring amputation
• Multiorgan system damage (central nervous system, renal failure)

What to do if you find a tick on you

“The easiest and safest way to remove a tick is to use tweezers,” Dr. Breit said.

1. Clean the area with alcohol.
2. Using tweezers, grip the tick as close to the head as possible.
3. Squeeze the tweezers and firmly pull directly up and away from the skin. Avoid pulling the body, which can allow the tick to spit out bacteria into the bite.
4. Crush the tick with the tweezers and dispose of it.
5. Disinfect the bite with alcohol and wash your hands.

How to prevent tick bites

“There is no vaccine against tick-borne illnesses,” Dr. Breit said. “But knowing where you could come into contact with ticks can help keep you and your family safer.”

Prevention tips:

• Know where ticks live. They like grassy, wooded areas with a lot of humidity. Ticks tend to stay low to the ground and catch a ride with a warm-blooded host.
• Use an Environmental Protection Agency-recommended insect repellent.
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin. Permethrin kills ticks and can be used to treat shoes, boots, clothing and camping gear. Clothing treated with 0.5% permethrin will provide lasting protection even after several washings.
• Check your clothing and gear for ticks when you come home. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets. Remove ticks if you find them.
• Check your pets for ticks after returning from tick habitats. The most common location for ticks on dogs include the ears, armpits, groin, around the paws and between the toes. Cats are less likely to get ticks, but it can happen.
• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.
• Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Check your body and your children’s bodies for ticks. Use a mirror or have someone help you with hard-to-see areas. Ticks can be found anywhere, but are commonly found near the ears, groin, back of the knees, hair, under the arms and around the waist.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions with any chemical such as permethrin, and check with your veterinarian about pet-safe products. Norton Healthcare can assess emergency and nonemergency tick bite situations. Call your health care provider if you begin to show symptoms, or visit an immediate care center.

The post Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be a dangerous condition and is spread by ticks. Here’s what you need to know. appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Both infections can cause:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

One frequent symptom of COVID-19 that doesn’t come with flu is a newly lost sense of taste or smell.

Emergency warning signs of infection from the coronavirus include:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

With either illness, contact a health care provider with any severe or troubling symptoms.

It can be difficult to tell based solely on symptoms whether an illness is COVID-19 or flu. Confirmation of either would have to come from a nasal swab test.

The common cold typically comes with a runny, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat and body aches. Fever is not a common cold symptom, and while fever often accompanies flu, it doesn’t always.

Who’s vulnerable to COVID-19 or flu?

Anyone can get sick from the coronavirus or the flu — or both. Serious complications from these viruses can happen at any age.

Those who are older and those with severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious illness with COVID-19.

Similarly, the flu can strike anyone. As with COVID-19, anyone over 65 and people of any age with certain chronic conditions such heart or lung disease, diabetes, or asthma are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. Flu can hit pregnant women and children under age 5 particularly hard. Kids younger than 2 years old are especially at risk.

The post COVID-19 or flu? Each has some similar symptoms, but there are key differences appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

In addition to the groin area, a monkey pox rash can break out on the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth.

If you are concerned about symptoms or possible exposure to Mpox, use MyNortonChart to set up an eCare video visit with a Norton Heathcare provider.

“We have a lot of worried patients who are coming into our practices,” said Angela Burgan, R.N., Infection Preventionist with Norton Medical Group. “People have rashes and lesions for a variety of reasons, so our providers really have to get into that information with the patient about their level of exposure to infected individuals.”Mpox

Mpox is spread by close contact, often skin-to-skin. That includes sexual contact as well as kissing, hugging or massage. The virus also can spread on surfaces, bedding, towels and other objects used by someone with Mpox. Respiratory droplets also can be a source of infection, though most cases appear to spread by close contact.

Some people with Mpox will get a rash followed by other symptoms, but some will have just a rash.

If you think you may have Mpox, either because of a new and unexplained rash or other symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking the following steps:

• Avoid close contact, including sex or being intimate with anyone, until you have been checked out by a health care provider.
• If you don’t have a provider or health insurance, visit a public health clinic near you.
• When you see a health care provider, wear a mask.

“Most patients are not acutely ill. Unless you’re having signs and symptoms of distress, the emergency room wouldn’t be appropriate,” Angela said.

Mpox rash symptoms usually start less than three weeks after virus exposure and a few days after developing flu-like symptoms. Mpox lasts up to four weeks until the rash has healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Mpox symptoms also can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• Respiratory complaints (sore throat, congestion, cough)

The post Is it a Mpox rash or something minor? appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Melody Presley, APRN, nurse practitioner with Norton Community Medical Associates – Taylorsville, answers a few questions regarding sunburns and when to seek treatment:

What is sun poisoning?

Sun poisoning is a severe sunburn. Hives and blisters are typical of sun poisoning, which is an allergic reaction to too much ultraviolet radiation.

Sun poisoning symptoms include the hives or rash on top of the sunburn, sometimes called sun rash. Other symptoms:

• Blisters
• Dehydration
• Dizziness
• Fever, chills
• Headache
• Nausea

Who is most at risk for sunburn?

Blonds, redheads and people with blue eyes and fair skin are also at an increased risk. Sunburns are most likely to occur between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., so plan accordingly.

Parents should always keep children under 6 months old out of direct sunlight.

How do I tell if my sunburn is severe enough to need medical treatment?

Severe sunburn causes blisters over a large area. It may result in multiple small blisters or one large blister. If you are experiencing severe pain with headaches, vomiting, fever and/or dehydration, consider seeing a doctor. These symptoms are similar to heat exposure or heatstroke and should be taken seriously.

If your child blisters from a sunburn or experiences any of these symptoms, get medical help right away. In extreme situations, hospitalization may be necessary so that IV fluids (for dehydration) or pain-controlling medications can be administered.

If my sunburn isn’t sun poisoning but still hurts, how should I treat it?

Mild sunburns can be treated with topical creams, such as aloe, calamine lotion, compresses or a cool bath. You also can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) to alleviate the discomfort, provided use is not medically contraindicated.

Hydration is also important so if you have a sun burn, be sure to drink plenty of water.

There are other nontraditional methods, such as soaking in a bath of Epsom salts or oatmeal.

Any other advice when it comes to preventing sunburn and sun poisoning?

Always wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 30 or greater and apply it properly. It’s never a good idea to mix alcohol with outdoor activities. Alcohol impairs judgment and alters your perception of time, making you more likely to forget to reapply sunscreen.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun and then every two hours. Reapply every 80 minutes you are in the water, whether you think the sunscreen is waterproof or not. Also reapply after towel-drying.

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Scientists who devise the flu shot each year have to predict months in advance which bugs will be most common. This year’s task was made more difficult by the late emergence of a variant on a virus known as H3N2 that has been quick to change in the past.

As a result of the H3N2, which hadn’t been anticipated for last year’s vaccine, the shot was only about 30% effective. Developing a good match against H3N2 was part of the reason behind a delay in this year’s vaccine.

Even when there’s a good match with the virus, the flu shot usually reduces the risk of getting sick with the flu by 40% to 60% overall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“A flu shot isn’t going to protect everyone, even in a good year. But even with the relatively low effectiveness of last year’s vaccine, it prevented as many as 90,000 hospitalizations,” said Christina M. Breit, M.D., internal medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Mallard Creek. “The flu shot is your best protection against getting the flu.”

More Flu-season News

Why the flu shot doesn’t make you sick and other flu myths debunked

How long does the flu virus live on surfaces?

The CDC recommends that everyone be vaccinated before the end of October. That allows for the antibodies to build a person’s immunity, which takes about two weeks.

Everyone older than 6 months should get a flu shot. Children receiving their very first flu shot will need two doses spaced four weeks apart. If a child under 9 has received only one flu shot in his or her lifetime, that child also will need two doses. That means these children should get their first dose as soon as possible

The post How effective is this year’s flu shot? appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, over 9,000 high school athletes are treated for heat illnesses each year.

Many medications and underlying medical illnesses, such as diabetes, also can increase the risk for heat illnesses.

Dehydration

One of the most common heat illnesses is dehydration. This occurs when the amount of fluid the body loses, usually due to sweating, is greater than the amount taken in. If not treated right away, your body stops working normally.

Signs of dehydration

• Dry, sticky mouth
• Dizziness and/or headache
• Decreased or darker urine
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramps

Children are especially susceptible to dehydration. They generate more heat for their body size than adults. They also sweat less, which is the body’s way of cooling itself.

Age plays a role in how much daily water intake is needed to stay hydrated. Sodas, sweetened drinks (diet or regular) and caffeinated drinks are not part of daily hydration needs and can increase risk for dehydration.

Sports drinks generally are not needed if you are not exercising more than one hour and can be harmful to children who don’t need the extra sodium and glucose. Water is the best choice if you are exercising less than one hour.

Sports drinks will replace electrolytes lost in sweat after strenuous exercise. In addition to rehydration after strenuous activity, a glass of chocolate milk will help refuel with a good blend of carbohydrates and protein.

How much water should kids drink?

Kari J. Zahorik, M.D., family medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Mid City Mall, suggests the following guidelines for minimum daily water intake (1 cup = 8 ounces):

• Children ages 4 to 13: 5 to 8 cups
• Teenage boys and adult men: 13 cups
• Teenage girls and adult women: 9 cups

“Once you’re thirsty, it’s too late to hydrate,” Dr. Zahorik said. “About two hours before exercising, you should drink 2 to 3 cups of water. During exercise, you need to be drinking 1 to 2 cups every 20 minutes, then 1 cup within 30 minutes of stopping.

“Also, an easy sports medicine rule of thumb is that urine should look like lemonade, not apple juice.”

If you still have signs of mild dehydration, such as dry mouth or thirst, drink more.

Heat cramps

Dehydration can cause heat cramps, which include muscle cramps in the legs, stomach and sometimes the hands. Drinking enough fluids and moving to a cool location will make these symptoms go away.

Heat exhaustion symptoms

Untreated dehydration and exposure to high temperatures can quickly turn into heat exhaustion, which includes the following symptoms:

• Dry, sticky mouth
• Dizziness and/or headache
• Decreased or darker urine
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Confusion
• Pale skin
• Rapid heartbeat
• Profuse sweating
• Fainting

If you or someone around you is experiencing these symptoms, drink or provide plenty of cool fluids, remove tight or unnecessary clothing, and use fans, iced or wet towels, a water hose or any other cooling measures.

Heatstroke symptoms

• Behavioral changes
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Lack of sweating

Heatstroke is a medical emergency and can cause loss of consciousness; damage to the heart, brain and kidneys; and even death.

If you are around someone with heatstroke symptoms, call 911 immediately.

While you’re waiting for EMS to arrive, move the person into the shade or a cool building, and help cool the body with fans, iced or wet towels, or a water hose.

The post Dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke symptoms and what to do appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Louisville consistently is ranked one of the worst cities for seasonal allergies. In fact, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranked Louisville the No. 6 Spring Allergy Capital for 2019.

Related Content: 7 ways to knock out allergies without medication

Common allergies in Louisville

Why Louisville? Why us?

Well, it has to do with geography and climate. We’re tucked between hills to our north and south, which allows stagnant air to trap allergens like pollen. Our area’s average temperatures and precipitation are great for tree, grass and weed growth — all pollen culprits.

According to The Weather Channel’s Allergy Tracker, common allergens in our area include:

• Ragweed pollen
• Grass pollen
• Tree pollen
• Mold

Where to go for season allergy treatment

Mild seasonal allergy symptoms such as sneezing or running nose, itchy or red eyes, or sore throat, often can be treated with over-the-counter medications. However, more severe symptoms may require a visit to a health care provider.

“Often patients visit their health care provider because they’ve tried treating their allergy symptoms with over-the-counter medications, but they aren’t working,” said Beverly Kestler, APRN, a nurse practitioner with Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens. “A health care provider will evaluate your symptoms to ensure allergies really are the cause. Then, depending on a patient’s medical history, we can recommend the right combination of medications to provide the best relief.”

Related Content: Everything you need to know to reserve your spot in line for convenient urgent care

Convenient options for the care you need now

Whether it’s getting in to see your primary care provider today, doing a Norton eCare virtual visit from work or home, reserving your spot online for a Norton Immediate Care Center or stopping by a Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens in your neighborhood, our convenient care options will get you feeling better fast.

For the care you need now for seasonal allergies, visit NortonHealthcare.com/NortonNow.

The post Where do I go for seasonal allergy relief? appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Kentucky and Indiana face many challenges when it comes to the health of their residents. They rank among the worst states for obesity and physical inactivity, health outcomes such as diabetes, and cancer and heart disease deaths.

Many of these diseases affect African Americans at higher rates.

Giavonne D. Rondo-Hillman, M.D., internal medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Jeffersonville, explains why primary care providers are critical to improving health outcomes in the African-American community.

What is the role of a primary care provider?

Primary care is the initial gateway for health and wellness, and a primary care provider sees you first for acute and chronic conditions. Primary care providers are important because we have broad knowledge of general medical conditions, take care of people of all ages and genders, and should have an established relationship with you. A primary care provider can initiate referrals to specialists and then follow up so there is true continuity of care.

The rates of some diseases like heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are higher among African Americans and show up at an earlier age. What role does primary care play in preventing, diagnosing, treating and managing these?

There are so many factors within the African-American community that affect health. These include genetics, cultural predispositions, economics, diet and even ZIP code. Primary care providers play a major role because they are the front line in a person’s health and wellness. Patients need to feel like they can talk to their doctor about their family history, diet, health conditions, physical activity and economic situation.

The primary care provider plays a holistic role in helping patients with all of these factors. He or she assesses a person’s health conditions and contributing factors, makes a diagnosis, prescribes treatment, and also educates patients on factors they can do something about, like managing stress or exercising. The primary care provider is also the gateway to the specialist, and can refer a patient with diabetes to a dietician or endocrinologist to help the person learn more about managing the disease.

African Americans are less likely to see a primary care provider or get screenings. What are some barriers they may face?

There are several things that may play a role in African Americans not seeing a primary care provider. Traditionally our country’s history of African American enslavement laid an unfortunate foundation in the mistreatment of African Americans. This was followed by Jim Crow laws, enforced segregation and lack of education. These placed institutional barriers to adequate health care for African Americans.

Economic and cultural factors play a role. When you have a disenfranchised, poor population overall, your focus is to go to work and put food on the table, rather than take time off to see a health care provider.

I also think there may be a certain amount of distrust in and fear of the medical establishment. When you look at health care in general, you’re more likely to trust someone and take the person’s advice if you believe the person has your best interest at heart. The health care field lacks diversity, and there is a particular gap with African-American physicians who are able to show African-American patients that we are there and we do care.

The schools of medicine, dentistry and nursing are working hard to improve diversity.

What can be done to improve health outcomes for African Americans and what role do primary care providers play?

There are so many different ways to approach these issues, but the first thing is identifying that problems and disparities do exist, because you can’t fix a problem you won’t face.

We as African Americans can do a lot for ourselves by taking inventory of our lives, our families and our communities, and being open, honest and direct about our health. A primary care provider can help us take inventory of our health and identify issues.

It’s important for each individual to account for what and how much we eat, how much we exercise daily, how we handle stress, how much we sleep, and unhealthy behaviors like smoking, excessive alcohol use, any illicit drug use, exposure to firearms and the environment or community where we live. Today, we have to consider how things like texting while driving affects our health.

African-American churches play a major role in African-American communities, so I see a lot more health-related topics in churches and churches hosting health fairs, screenings, discussions and other health-related activities.

Schools play a role in healthier lifestyles by providing healthier meals that place importance on fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and water intake, and encouraging physical activity with more movement in the classroom, recess and sports.

In some larger cities, practitioners are coming into barber shops or hair salons to see people, or the barber is checking blood pressures. There are screenings occurring in grocery stores and other places in the community to meet people where they are.

Telemedicine and services like Norton eCare may help us provide services to people who can’t have those needs met in the traditional fashion.

We’re still looking at different options and trying to get out into the African-American community. We have to meet people where they are, and we have to reach outside the box.

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