Obtaining Health Through Heritage: Considerations in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This product is free for COGA members.

This webinar was presented live on December 9, 2020.

Noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension not only affect people of African heritage in genetically or physiologically different ways, but African Americans also cope with the disease within a particular cultural context. Their approach to diet and exercise, their eating habits, their relationship with care givers, even their spirituality and behavior patterns are unique—and all of that has an impact on how they approach their disease diagnosis and manage their health. This solutions-oriented presentation will demonstrate how a diet rooted in African traditions may be the path to optimal health for African Americans.

CPEU: 1
CPE Level: 2
Performance Indicators: 8.2, 8.4, 9.3

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the African American disparities observed in diagnosed COVID-19
2. Identify 3 nutritional implications and health consequences associated with food group (i.e. Dairy) avoidance in minority populations
3. Reframe nutrition education programming in a way that is culturally relevant to participants

Speaker

Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RDN, CDCES, CDN

Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RDN, CDCES, CDN—an award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist—is the author of the Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World, and The African American Guide to Living Well With Diabetes. Constance is currently past chair of the Diabetes DPG and former member of the board of directors of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education specialist. In 2019 she was awarded the Certified Diabetes Educator, Entrepreneur of the Year, from the Metropolitan New York Association of Diabetes Educators.