June 02, 2022
LAWT News Service
Black men are a vulnerable demographic according to the American Cancer Society and The Prostate Cancer Foundation. They are 1.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 20 percent more likely to test positive for colorectal (colon) cancer.
Prevalence of chronic kidney and heart disease is also higher in Black men. These diseases, among others, can be prevented with the introduction of a healthy lifestyle, diet and habits.
As June marks Men’s Health Month in the United States, Dr. Denise Asafu-Adjei, director of Male Reproductive Medicine and assistant professor of Urology at Loyola University Chicago-Stritch School of Medicine, is on a mission to educate and empower Black men to change those statistics. The health policy advocate, who is among the 2 percent of Black urologists in the United States, offers these chronic disease prevention tips:
● Incorporate a plant-based diet
● See a primary care physician at least yearly for health maintenance and age-specific cancer screenings
● Exercise at least 3 times a week
● Sleep a minimum of 6-7 hours daily
● Drink 1-liter or more of water daily
“I’m committed to educating the Black male population by sharing health tips that will effect significant change and decrease the number of men impacted and affected by chronic diseases. These tips will support healthy lifestyle changes, both short- and long-term.
“I feel a responsibility, especially to Black men, to leverage my expertise and clinical research to help them live healthy lives and to optimize their quality of life,” said Dr. Asafu-Adjei.
Asafu-Adjei is a trailblazing, dynamic award-winning urologist and researcher. A proud first-generation Ghanaian-American, hailing from Bronx, NY, she graduated from the world-renowned Bronx High School of Science. She went on to attend the esteemed Carnegie Mellon University, earning a Bachelor of Science and Minor in Healthcare Policy and Management.
During her college years, Dr. Asafu-Adjei solidified her dedication to medicine, and scientific research, and developed a strong interest in health policy and broader health system issues. She obtained her M.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School and her MPH from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
She completed her urological surgery residency at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Denise completed her Fellowship in Male Sexual Dysfunction and Infertility at the University of California Los Angeles.
She is currently an assistant professor of Urology at Loyola University Chicago-Stritch School of Medicine, where she serves as the medical director of Male Reproductive Medicine. She also holds a dual appointment at the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health.
To learn more about Dr. Denise, visit https://www.drdeniseofficial.com.