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Background It has been called a tidal wave and a tsunami; it is the aging of the Baby Boom generation. Born between 1946 and 1964, Boomers are expected to live longer than all the generations before them. But for one group of women, African American females, living a long and healthy life is not a foregone conclusion. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that African American women have the shortest life expectancy among women of all racial and ethnic groups in California, and in addition:
Formed in 2002, Life-Long: Sisters Staying Healthy, a program of Community Partners, is a Los Angeles-based community organization dedicated to helping midlife African American women achieve and maintain healthy longevity. We address topics affecting the health of women 40+ at home and in the workplace. Through public education, community outreach, personal empowerment, and advocacy, Life-Long is committed to eliminating ethnic and racial disparities in the areas of life expectancy and quality of life. We believe in an active, hands-on approach and strive to involve women in the process of learning, through experience, how every woman can be a participant in her own future. Information is made available from a holistic perspective in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, stress reduction, and community building. Working with key collaborators, Life-Long promotes health screenings and increased awareness of prevention's vital role in promoting health at every age. 2009 Meeting Schedule In addition to community outreach, health education presentations, and public advocacy work, Life-Long conducts a regular monthly meeting on the last Thursday of the month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at "Leeza's Place" @ Olympia Medical Center, 5901 West Olympic Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (mid-Wilshire). Light refreshments are provided and parking is validated. A donation of $10 is suggested, but no one is ever turned away for lack of funds.
With a different topic and guest presenter every month, the meetings are part seminar, part gabfest and part support group. It's a time of learning, teaching, inspiration and fun, shared through laughter and tears. Held in a living room style setting that provides a cozy atmosphere where women 40+ are free to ask questions and get answers about matters that concern them the most, the monthly meetings provide a warm and supportive environment for women who want to make the most of their health in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond.
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The term "life expectancy" is a phrase used by health statisticians to describe the estimated number of years left in a person's life. But life expectancy can be much more than a term for how long we live. The quality of those years is important. Sometimes we have lowered our expectations without even realizing it. The balancing act of dealing with the daily stress generated by family matters, making a living, personal relationships, and societal challenges like violence in our community, discrimination, poverty and other issues, takes a toll on our health and wellbeing. The current economic downturn and the financial turmoil it is creating for so many families and our nation as a whole, only adds to the distress. Prolonged stress has been shown to be a major factor in creating an environment in the body for disease. It is possible to get so bogged down in just trying to keep your head above water that life in constant survival mode can literally make you sick. Making health a priority is a matter of life and death. Despite medical advances over the past century in health and longevity, racial disparities persist. African Americans statistically have the shortest life expectancy of all racial and ethnic groups. We are also more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, carrying a disproportionate burden of conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, HIV, and depression, regardless of our educational level or socioeconomic status. But we don't have to get stuck in the statistics. We are a deeply spiritual people and we know that there is always hope. At the public level, there is a president in office firmly committed to putting systems in place to promote equality in access to healthcare, and it is critical that we make our voices heard in the policy arena when decision makers raise issues related to the delivery of programs and services that threaten the health of our community. There are also things you can do as an individual. Make up your mind to take charge of your health and vow to live each day to the fullest. Improve your chances for wellness by getting age-appropriate health screenings and improving lifestyle behaviors like eating better nutrition and getting the appropriate amount of physical activity. Even a small change in behavior can have a large impact if you are consistent and committed. Network with relatives and friends and make staying healthy a family affair. If you are reading this, it means you have breath in your body. No one is promised tomorrow, but you have been given this moment. You are fortunate enough to be able to decide right now how to spend your time, your energy, and your attention. On Mother's Day 2002, I conceived the idea for Life-Long because I saw what was happening to me and women like me. I wanted to create a framework to address the inequality reflected in the life expectancy tables. Life-Long became a way to provide midlife women an environment to address their health concerns. So, what is your life expectancy? And what are you ready to do to increase it? |
Life Expectancy