JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each and every April, the United States Division of Wellness and Human Solutions highlights the value of enhancing the well being of racial and ethnic communities and closing the gap of well being disparities.

News4JAX spoke with Dr. Kim Barbel Johnson at the Mayo Clinic about methods we can take to close the gap in Jacksonville.

It is not sufficient to just book a doctor’s appointment.

Individuals ought to be in a position to communicate what’s incorrect particularly and know their out there well being solutions. This is referred to as well being literacy.

In Florida, racial and ethnic minorities have reduced typical well being literacy scores than white adults, according to Floridaliteracy.org.

“When we appear at the numbers, they’re starling. They’re essentially humbling,” Barbel Johnson mentioned.

Study shows that minority communities endure from higher prices of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and asthma.

“We have to have to know what these numbers are so we can engage in the appropriate remedy,” Barbel Johnson mentioned.

The Mayo Clinic is functioning to address and appropriate racial-primarily based well being disparities.

Barbel Johnson mentioned the hospital is utilizing neighborhood outreach to develop adjust.

“We are continuing each and every day to perform on educating the neighborhood, to perform on policies and perform with our main care specialty communities to address these disparities but we nevertheless have some perform to do,” Barbel Johnson mentioned.

It is probable to understand your numbers at house. For instance, individuals can monitor their blood sugar levels with a glucose meter and finger stick. That can be bought at a neighborhood pharmacy.

Individuals can also make a stop by to their medical professional as effectively.

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