FREE ESSAY ON DIABETES ABSTRACT

DIABETES ABSTRACT

Diabetes Joshua Herron
Ebony
Page 55, March 2000, No. 5, Volume 55
Edward M. Hawthorne
Diabetes: AFRO-Americans-Health & hygiene
This article by Hawthorne basically talks about how people have a tendency to take
diabetes for granted. Diabetes can be a very serious disease. It effects more than 16
million Americans. Of these 16 million, 3 million are Blacks. Diabetes is the
seventh-leading killer in America, and is the number one cause for blindness, kidney
ailment and non-traumatic amputations in Blacks. One in four Black women over 55 and one
in four Black between the ages 65 and 74 are affected by this disease.
Diabetes is defined as the body's inability to produce insulin. There are two major types
of diabetes: insulin dependant, and non-insulin dependant. Non-insulin dependant is the
most common in adults. African-Americans over 45, persons overweight, and those who have
a history of this disease in their family are most at risk. Hawthorne then explains that
doctors do not know why Blacks are more susceptible to this disease. They feel that
heredity and diet have a great deal to do with it. 
The author then talks about how anyone over 45 should be tested at least once every three
years. African-Americans should begin earlier and more frequently. These people should
take care of themselves and watch out for the warning signs such as excessive thirst,
extreme hunger and irritability, and unexplained weight loss. 
I feel that the author did a good job of explaining the causes and ways to prevent the
disease. I felt that that he could do a better job of explaining or giving more reasons
that African-Americans are more susceptible to diabetes. Hopefully in the future science
can understand the reasons why this happens and come up with ways to prevent or help the
effects of diabetes.