b'African American WomenKey Players In Keeping Families, Communities HealthyBy Warren BoltonSouth Carolina State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said women can play a pivotal role in helping reduce chronic diseases among African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by such conditions.Womenhaveahealthylevelofinfluenceintheir homesandcommunitiesandshouldencourage their families, friends, and neighbors to take steps to improve their health, Dr Bell said.COVID-19shinedanewlightonoldconcerns about chronic conditions among African Americans and other people of color. Early in the pandemic, it quicklybecameclearAfricanAmericanswereat greaterriskthanothergroupsduetoaprevalence ofconditionssuchashighbloodpressure,heart Dr. Linda Belldisease,lungdisease,obesity,andasthmaintheir communities.Addressingtheseconditionscanlead Dr. Linda Bell trained in internal medicine attoahealthierlifeformanyAfricanAmericansand the University of Texas Southwestern Medicalreduce their risk during virus or disease outbreaks.Schoolandhasworkedinpublichealthfor over28years.Dr.BellhasservedinseveralTodothat,Dr.Belloutlinedanapproachthat positions with the South Carolina Departmentincludesaddressingchronicdiseasesfromaholistic of Health and Environmental Control, whereperspective as well as unlocking the power of women.sheiscurrentlytheSouthCarolinaState EpidemiologistanddirectoroftheBureauWeareminingallthisdataaboutspecificheath ofCommunicableDiseasePreventionconditions with the goal of advancing treatment for andControl.Sheoverseestheagencysspecificconditions.Weneedtobelookingatthe programsforAcuteDiseaseEpidemiology,social determinants of health, she said. Immunizations, STD/HIV, and Tuberculosis Control.HerworkhasincludeddrawingItsimportanttolearnwhydisparitiesinratesof attention to addressing social determinants ofhigh blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and other health to reduce health disparities. Dr. Bell hasconditions develop, Dr. Bell said. For example, does been a lead medical advisor in South Carolina,wherepeoplelive,learn,work,andplayhavearole providingscience-basedguidancetocontrolin their level of health and quality of life? A holistic diseasespread.SheismarriedtoDr.Myronview of what makes us unhealthy will help us address Bell,acardiologist,andtheyaretheproudthemanychronicconditionswetendtotalkabout parents two young adult children, Olivia andseparately, she said.Maurice. 8IMARA'