Health Rewind: Why Racism Is Bad for Black Health

How racism affects our health and more health news.

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The Effects That Racism Has on Our Health - How do “stop and frisks” and other forms of racial discrimination affect African-American health? Very negatively, says a new feature in The Atlantic. Writer Jason Silverstein highlights recent studies that show that racism damages us both physically and psychologically, putting us at higher risk for high blood pressure, high levels of stress and depression. —Kellee Terrell (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images) 

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Bee Venom: Potential Cure for AIDS? - A new study found that in lab tests, bee venom can kill HIV. Could this bring on the potential cure for AIDS? Perhaps, but don’t pop open the champagne just yet. Experts emphasize that more research needs to be done to truly understand if this could work in humans, reported the Washington Times.  (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

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Bee Venom: Potential Cure for AIDS? - A new study found that in lab tests, bee venom can kill HIV. Could this bring on the potential cure for AIDS? Perhaps, but don’t pop open the champagne just yet. Experts emphasize that more research needs to be done to truly understand if this could work in humans, reported the Washington Times.  (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

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African-American Seniors and the Vaccine Gap - When we tend to think of vaccines, we think of children. But a new NPR article reminds us that adults, especially seniors, need to stay on top of their shots, too. Currently, Black seniors are 30 percent less likely than white seniors to be vaccinated for the flu and pneumonia.  (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Quitting Smoking Still Has Benefits Even With Weight Gain - A recent study suggests that those who want to quit smoking shouldn’t worry about the small weight gain that comes with it. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin found that quitting smoking cuts risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes in half, even with 5-10 pounds of weight gain, says HealthDay News.  (Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

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Black Breast Cancer Survivors Have Higher Risk of Heart Failure - A recent study found that African-American breast cancer survivors are more likely to develop heart failure than white survivors. While certain forms of chemotherapy increase the chance of heart failure, it’s believed that Black women’s increased risk comes from an already disproportionate history of heart disease, diabetes and low vitamin-D levels, says Red Orbit. (Photo: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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Ban on Large Sugary Drinks Overturned - A judge struck down New York City's ban on big sugary drinks Monday, the day before the rule was to take effect. The ruling is a blow to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a win for critics who said the mayor was attempting to micro-manage their lives.(Photo: AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

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Ban on Large Sugary Drinks Overturned - A judge struck down New York City's ban on big sugary drinks Monday, the day before the rule was to take effect. The ruling is a blow to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a win for critics who said the mayor was attempting to micro-manage their lives.(Photo: AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Cory Booker Turns Efforts to Curbing Childhood Obesity - Cory Booker, Newark, New Jersey’s mayor, has his sights on curbing childhood obesity in his city and cities across the U.S. Recently, Booker, the vice-chair of the Partnership for a Healthier America, a bi-partisan group that’s part of Let’s Move! was recently on MSNBC talking about how childhood obesity is “undermining the lives of” children, the need to address food deserts and create urban gardens in inner cities. Watch his interview here. (Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images)

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Cory Booker Turns Efforts to Curbing Childhood Obesity - Cory Booker, Newark, New Jersey’s mayor, has his sights on curbing childhood obesity in his city and cities across the U.S. Recently, Booker, the vice-chair of the Partnership for a Healthier America, a bi-partisan group that’s part of Let’s Move! was recently on MSNBC talking about how childhood obesity is “undermining the lives of” children, the need to address food deserts and create urban gardens in inner cities. Watch his interview here. (Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images)

Sleep on Your Back - Slumbering on your side or stomach may be good for preserving your hair, but it’s hell on your face. Why? Pressing it into a pillow all night can cause fine lines. Seriously — turn over.  (Photo: Stuart O'Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Coping With Daylight Savings Time - While it’s just an hour, losing time to Daylight Savings Time can be annoying. Dr. Praveen Rudraraju, a sleep expert, offers some great tips on how to get better adjusted to the time change. Rudraraju’s advice ranges from waking up early, exercising in the daytime and skipping on caffeinated drinks after noon. Read all of his tips at HealthDay News. (Photo: GettyImages)

Electronic Health Records - Insurers will be required to provide electronic health records, which will reduce paperwork and costs and make it easier for health care providers, from physicians to pharmacists, to access a patient's information.  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

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Pap Smear and Cervical Cancer - Getting a pap smear every three years, as new guidelines suggest, may allow for aggressive forms of cervical cancer to grow, says a new study. Researchers found that most women in their study that had pre-cancerous cells had a pap smear to detect them early on. Had they waited, those cells might have developed into cervical cancer, reported Reuters.(Photo: GettyImages)

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Whole Foods Will Label Genetically Modified Foods - While the FDA ruled that grocery stores don’t have to label cloned and genetically modified food because they are “safe,” Whole Foods Market announced that they will become the first retailer in the U.S. to label these foods for customers. Labeling will go into full effect in all 339 stores in the next five years, says The New York Times.(Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Do Not Leave Your Drink Unattended - Make sure that your drink is with you at all times. All someone needs is a few seconds to slip something into your cup. (Photo: GettyImages)

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 Is Alcohol Behind the Gun Violence Problem? - Sociologist Robert Nash Parker believes he has the solution to the gun violence crisis in America: Regulating alcohol. In his new book, Alcohol and Violence: The Nature of the Relationship and the Promise of Prevention, Parker writes that limiting the number of liquor stores in one area and banning 40-oz. beers could make a difference, reported the Huffington Post. (Photo: GettyImages)

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