Family Talk and Chronic Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension are two of the greatest health concerns of African Americans. Compared to other ethnic groups in the United States African Americans have a marked disparity in terms of treatment and prevention of these chronic conditions. This study proposes to learn more about life style decisions leading to diabetes and hypertension. The research looks specifically at African Americans in the Houston Texas area who participate in Creole style cooking and Creole cultural beliefs. Building on previously recorded knowledge about dynamics that exists in the African American family this study depicts how family talk is related to the prevalence of chronic conditions. Investigation into the practices in planning meals and celebrations uncover cohesiveness and cultural identity as well as the risk factors for diabetes and hypertension.