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CD 01 CI 1 ■ 1 i T
Spirit of wellness
is interfaith
Jews, Chaldeans address
genetic risks and need for care
F
By Alan Stamm and Justin Fisette
aith fuels personal strength.
Health awareness and physical ac-
tivity also are keys to living well.
Chaldeans and Jews have par-
ticular reasons for health monitoring because
of genetic digestive disorders – Crohn's dis-
ease and ulcerative colitis — affecting mem-
bers of their communities. "Given that both
populations originated from the same area,
it is possible that there may be some sus-
ceptibility genes ... in common between the
two populations," says Dr. Gerald L. Feld-
man, director of clinical genetics studies at
Children's Hospital of Michigan.
Local research into those types of dis-
ease clusters is being conducted by Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Michigan through next
year. "The preliminary study analyzes our
members by ethnicity and race to better
understand the specific healthcare needs
of the diverse communities," explains Af-
faf Arabbo, project manager at Blue Cross,
who is Chaldean. "This will help us under-
stand where we can make a difference in
communities by improving access to health
care services that are relevant and specific
tion of America. "From the 23 enrolled in
Bismutha [since July], we have a high per-
centage" with colitis and Crohn's.
Finding a healthy balance
In West Bloomfield, Lynette Toma has
learned to manage her colitis and mini-
mize its impact. "Following my diagnosis,"
says the Chaldean woman, "I basically had
to start over with my whole entire diet. No
dairy, no red meat or fried foods to avoid
complications."
Toma also recognizes the connections be-
Chaldeans and
Jews have particular
reasons for health
monitoring because
of genetic digestive
disorders.
.11trrOVIV
Dr. Gerald L. Feldman
Wayne State University School of Medicine
and the Detroit Medical Center. "The disease
is definitely more prevalent in the Ashkenazi
Jewish population (with Middle Eastern
roots) than the general population."
"Though Chaldeans don't have a high
incidence of Crohn's by history, preva-
lence among this community has increased
among the last ten to twenty years as they
immigrate to the U.S.," adds Dr. Moham-
mad El-Baba, chief of gastroenterology at
36
October 7 2010
Dr. Mohammad El-Baba
to each ethnic community," adds the Wayne
State University graduate.
Dr. Nahid Elyas of Southfield, president
of the Chaldean American Association for
Health Professionals, sees patients with the
two conditions. "The Middle Eastern and
Jewish cultures have a high rate of chron-
ic abdominal pain and need more invasive
management," says Dr. Elyas, a board mem-
ber for the new Project Bismutha free care
program supported by the Chaldean Federa-
Dr. Nahid Elyas
tween spiritual, emotional and physical well-
being. "Light exercise and meditation, thhigs
that help relieve stress, are keys for me to
beat this," she explains. "Many Chaldeans are
always stressed because they work so much
and don't take the time to relax. They don't
realize the full negative effects of stress."
Patient education is among services
provided by two grass-roots programs for
the area's uninsured ,Jewish and Chaldean
residents. And it's no coincidence that three-