Kidney Disease and the African American Community

There is all this talk about Government healthsometimes miles from the university? When you
care. This is something lower-income andgo in to that doctors office, or the hospital room,
minorities should be involved in. Why do you thinkbe ready to ask questions. Read everything
this is being opposed? The majority of Africanbefore you sign it, if you aren't sure what it is,
Americans are working on jobs that don't providehave it explained to you.
health care. When they need medical help, theyYou must be able to tell them about the problem
go to a free clinic or a teaching hospital.you're having. Be specific, read and learn your
These medical facilities are breeding grounds forbody. If you are able to tell them something
experimentation. Have you ever looked aroundspecific, they are less likely to experiment.
and noticed how many African Americans are onThe other area that has become a huge problem,
kidney dialysis? Do you really believe that manyChildren being placed on medication for behavior
people have bad kidneys?problems. This is a huge problem, and the school
My sister told me about a lady that had a mothersystem is playing a big part in this. Teachers are
to die from "kidney disease". The hospital told hernot psychologists, but they are the ones that
children to get tested, because they probably hadhave children placed on medication.
it, but they couldn't tell them the specific disease.This is of great concern, because, parents can
Those that were tested, have either died, or areget a check for these children, when they are
living a horrible life on dialysis. Those that weren'tplaced on medication. It was thought these were
tested, are in good health. One of the siblings thatproblems in particular areas of the country, but it
is on dialysis, was told "she has been taken offhas become apparent, this is all over the country.
the transplant list, because she can't afford theChildren are being taken from homes, solely on
medication".the recommendations of teachers. It's know as
I had a friend to go into the hospital, they didlegally kidnapping. There are reports of children
open heart surgery, and put her on dialysis, whendying from this medication. Most people don't
she asked them why she was on dialysis, theyrealize, the drug company pays the school for
told her, her kidneys had been bad for years, sheputting children on Ritalin.
just didn't know it.Research shows that when children have used
The horror stories go on. There are dialysisretain and are taken off, they become violent. If
centers working 24/7. Why do you think hospitalsyou only read one book in your life time, make it,
for major universities are located in urban areas,Medical Apartheid, by Harriet Washington.