Health Rewind: Big Push for African-Americans in the South to Get Health Care

Plus, depressed teens more likely to consume energy drinks.

Why This Matters to You - Despite the success of Obamacare, Latinos and Blacks, especially women, are still vulnerable to racial health disparities. So it the key is getting more of us enrolled and linked to care. Remember: Health care is a right. So exercise that right!(Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Big Push for African-Americans in the South to Get Health Care - With the March 31 Obamacare deadline looming, Black community and civil rights groups in the South are knocking on doors to get more African-Americans to enroll before it’s too late, USA Today reports. Places such as Mississippi and Louisiana have seen an influx in Blacks signing up for health care, which is key given how many Blacks in those areas are uninsured. — (@kelleent) Kellee Terrell (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

What's Behind the Increase in Infections? - One of the major factors behind our recent measles outbreak is people not getting vaccinated for the disease. And from there, it spreads throughout communities of people who are not vaccinated either. (Photo: Mark Kegans/Getty Images)

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Measles Outbreak in NYC - A measles outbreak is being reported in the Upper Manhattan and the Bronx areas of New York City. Twenty cases of the measles, a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus, have been diagnosed among babies, teens and adults, says New York NBC affiliates. Health officials are urging those who haven’t been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. (Photo: Mark Kegans/Getty Images)

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24 States Pressure Walmart and Walgreens to Ban Tobacco - Twenty-four state attorneys general have officially asked Walmart and Walgreens to stop selling tobacco, the Huffington Post writes. However, if the stores refuse, they will not be punished or sanctioned. This request comes a month after CVS announced that they would no longer sell tobacco in their stores given how deadly it is to our health.  (Photo: Mark Lennihan/AP Photo, File)

Countess Vaughn: August 8 - The Parkers actress and star of the upcoming reality show Hollywood Divas celebrates her 36th birthday.(Photo: Phil McCarten/Getty Images)

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Countess Vaughn’s Lacefront Nightmare - Recently, Countess Vaughn told The Doctors that after five years of rocking lacefronts with no problems, she noticed pus oozing from her scalp and a horrible smell. Ignoring it, she waited six months to get it checked out. By then, the damage was serious: She has lost skin from her ears, hair from her edges and the melanin among her hairline. (Photo: Phil McCarten/Getty Images)

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10 Percent of Child Hospitalizations Due to Mental Illness - Nearly 10 percent of child hospitalizations are due to some type of mental illness, says a new study. Researchers found that a majority of these kids suffer from depression, bipolar disease and psychosis and that there are not enough doctors who specialize in mental health to treat them. They also found that these hospitalizations have increased 80 percent since 1997, Health Day writes.  (Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

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Miami Heat - After saying that he can relate to the feeling that the 2012-13 Miami Heat are still fighting for respect after winning back-to-back chips, the president couldn't resist taking a jab at one of the Heat's players. Mr. Obama said, "I think we should take a picture, but we should make it quick before one of these guys starts yelling at Mario [Chalmers].  I mean, sometimes it’s just a bad pass, guys. It’s not Mario’s fault. I got your back, man." Heat leaders like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were tough on Chalmers throughout the playoff run. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Basketball Greats Team Up With President Obama for Health Care Reform - A new series of health care reform commercials are set to air as the Obamacare deadline approaches on March 31. The spots, which will air during the NCAA March Madness tourney and on other networks such as ABC, ESPN and TNT, feature basketball legends LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Alonzo Mourning discussing the importance of having health care. (Photo : Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Are Energy Drinks Most Popular Among Depressed Teens? - A recent study found that depressed teens and those that abuse alcohol and drugs are more likely to consume energy drinks. Researchers also found that 75 percent of students have tried energy drinks in the past year; 20 percent drink one or more a month; and younger students like energy drinks more than older students. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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More Breast Cancer Survivors Opting for Reconstruction Surgery - For many women with breast cancer, removal of a breast or both breasts (mastectomies) is common. Yet, a new report has found that more survivors (48 percent) are opting to get reconstructive surgery than ever before — up 67 percent since 2007. Washington, D.C., has the highest rate with 80 percent compared to 18 percent for North Dakota, USA Today reported. (Photo: Keith Brofsky/GettyImages)

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Black Women More at Risk for Hypertension - Researchers from Vanderbilt University found that African-American women are more likely to have hypertension. They found that 64 percent of the Black women in their study had high blood pressure compared to 52 percent of white women and 51 percent of Black and white men. Yet Black men and women were more likely to be undiagnosed. (Photos: Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Blacks and Crohn’s Disease - While CD is more common among whites, our numbers have been going up in the past years. Past studies have shown that when we have CD our disease and symptoms are much more severe than whites. Also, Blacks are grossly underrepresented in clinical trials.  (Photo: American Cancer Society/Getty Images)

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Colon Cancer Deaths Drop Dramatically - A new report from the American Cancer Society found that colon cancer deaths have decreased by 30 percent. Early colonoscopies, which have tripled in the past years from 19 percent to 55 percent among seniors, are believed to be the culprit. Yet, Blacks are still more likely to die from this type of cancer than whites. (Photo: American Cancer Society/Getty Images)