Meeting held to spread Northwest Arkansas health info

SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas residents may be among the healthiest in the state, but socioeconomic factors present challenges for many trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Linda McGhee discussed those factors Thursday at a dinner meeting organized by the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, which drew more than 40 people.

It was the second meeting the commission had in Springdale within the past year and it was a chance to provide specific health statistics for Benton, Washington, Carroll and Madison counties.

"We do this so individuals within the community are empowered to have access to that information so they can take care of their own health and that of their family," said ShaRhonda Love, the commission's executive director.

Research shows minorities are disproportionately impacted by diseases, Love said. The commission specifically looks at diseases caused by tobacco because it's paid for by tobacco settlement dollars.

McGhee's presentation focused largely on statistics. She started by referring to a list of median incomes by county and race.

"Because when they say it's not about money, it's about money," she said.

She urged audience members not to judge others too harshly for their unhealthy habits, such as smoking or having a poor diet.

"Don't be preaching that, if you just do this, everything is hunky-dory," McGhee said. "You've got to have good food and you've got to be able to afford a healthy lifestyle. And not everyone can do that."

When someone can feed their family cheaper at a fast-food restaurant than by going to the grocery store, it's no wonder which option poorer people are going to choose, she said.

She added that, while smoking is bad for one's health, nicotine is the only drug producing both mental stimulation and physical relaxation.

"That's why people smoke," she said. "We have to have some patience for them and help them to get off of it. It's quite addictive."

Benton and Washington counties ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the state's health outcome rankings by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Carroll County ranks No. 13 and Madison County ranks No. 34 out of the state's 75 counties. Health outcomes are measured by how long people live and how healthy they feel.

The median household income in Benton County is $59,016, significantly higher than in Washington, $45,442; Madison, $39,839; and Carroll, $38,145, counties, according to the foundation's figures. About 77,000 out of 542,000 people -- 14.2 percent -- living in the four counties live in poverty.

Benton and Washington counties also lead Carroll and Madison counties in lower unemployment rates, higher percentages of residents who have attended college, and lower percentages of children in poverty.

The discussion turned toward minorities when McGhee brought up the "Hispanic paradox," the finding that, while Hispanics are more likely to live in poverty and under unhealthy conditions, they have the longest life expectancy than any group in the country. Much research is going into trying to find out why that is, she said.

"Some people say it's the family structure and support, and for sure that has got to play a big role," McGhee said.

Nathan Hall attended the meeting as a service access specialist for ARcare, a network of 44 family health clinics in the state. He asked if there are any programs that provide people free healthy things to eat.

The Women, Infants and Children program offers vouchers for those who are eligible to buy fresh vegetables at farmers' markets, one audience member said.

Another man asked whether anything is being done to address food deserts in the state, such as getting gas stations and convenience stores to carry fruit and vegetables. Food deserts are defined as areas lacking fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas, according to the American Nutrition Association.

Layza Lopez-Love, a Minority Health commissioner from Springdale, said efforts are underway to provide more fruit and vegetables statewide through the Healthy Active Arkansas initiative. The Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention also is providing money for community gardens and working to ensure access to healthy food in each county, she said.

Hall, whose job involves counseling HIV-positive people, said he attended Thursday's event to network with others providing services for minorities and learn more about the health-care needs of minorities.

"I learned a lot tonight about the disparity in the availability of health care and the need," he said.

Love, the commission's director, announced the commission received its Mobile Health Unit on Wednesday, a vehicle that will travel across the state providing preventive screenings for things such as blood pressure, HIV, cholesterol and body mass index. The unit coordinator will follow up with patients who have abnormal results and share county-level resources for follow-up medical care.

"We hope to be on the road in February," Love said.

NW News on 01/20/2019