Researchers Addressing Numerous Health Disparities In Elderly African American Communities

A new study shows how much the gap in health care affects elderly African Americans in South Carolina compared to other demographics.

AARP, along with researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina, Clemson and the University of South Carolina have all teamed up to diagnose, and fix the issues leading to health disparities among black communities.

“This is a complex issue,” AARP SC’s state director for advocacy Jo Pauling-Jones said. “It is one that is going to require multi agency collaboration which is one of the recommendations.”

The report states that African Americans in the state consistently have a higher risk of getting Alzheimer’s, dying from stroke or certain cancers. They also have higher rates for heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.