8 Habits Black Men Can Start NOW to Live Longer

By Jasmine Smith 

(Source: BlackDoctor+org)

Black men in America are dying too soon—and not because they have to.

On average, Black men in the U.S. tend to have a shorter life expectancy compared with White men and many other demographic groups. Historically, this gap has been about 5–7 years shorter than that of White men.

In recent provisional U.S. data (2022), life expectancy at birth for non-Hispanic Black people increased but still remained behind other groups: about 72.8 years, compared with 77.5 years for non-Hispanic White people overall.

What’s Affecting Black Men’s Life Expectancy?

Life expectancy isn’t determined by biology alone: social conditions, access to healthcare, and structural factors have big impacts:

Chronic Health Conditions

Black men have higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions — all major contributors to mortality differences.

Access to Healthcare

Black men are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured and experience barriers to preventive care and early treatment. Historical mistrust in medical systems also contributes to delayed or avoided care.

Socioeconomic Status

Lower income, higher unemployment, and job insecurity are more prevalent among Black men, increasing stress and limiting access to healthy foods, safe neighborhoods, and quality healthcare.

Neighborhood and Environmental Conditions

Many Black men live in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities, healthy food options, safe recreational spaces, and higher exposure to environmental hazards.

Impact of Systemic Racism and Chronic Stress

Long-term exposure to racism, discrimination, and social stressors — sometimes called minority stress — can worsen health outcomes by increasing physiological stress responses and negative health behaviors.

Structural racism affects education, employment, housing, and legal systems, all of which influence opportunities for healthy living.

A legacy of systemic inequities, medical mistrust, and cultural expectations around masculinity has created a silent crisis. But as Nurse Practitioner Dr. Camille Brockett Walker, DNP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC puts it plainly: “Silence can be deadly.”

BlackDoctor.org sat down with the seasoned clinician, educator, and fierce health equity advocate Dr. Walker, who’s spent nearly two decades treating patients on the frontlines and mentoring the next generation of nurses. Her mission? To change the narrative around men’s health, especially for Black men, and encourage small, powerful steps that lead to longer, healthier lives. Here’s what she has to say.

How Black Men Can Live Longer: Small Steps, Big Impact

“Health is not a one-time event—it’s a journey. Start small, keep going, and speak up. Your life could depend on it,” Dr. Brockett Walker shares.

This Men’s Health Month, let’s commit to opening conversations, supporting one another, and taking actionable steps—no matter how small—toward healthier futures for all men.

Here are eight urgent yet practical ways Black men can take charge of their health—straight from a provider who’s seen it all.

1. Stop Suffering in Silence—It Could Cost You Your Life

Too many men were taught to “man up” and ignore pain. Dr. Brockett Walker calls this out for what it is: deadly.

“Silence can be deadly. Talking about your health is strength, not weakness,” she shares.

2. Get the Screenings That Could Save Your Life

Don’t wait for something to feel wrong. Here are the top screenings Dr. Brockett Walker says you can’t afford to skip:

• Blood Pressure(Hypertension)
• Blood Sugar (A1C/Diabetes)
• Cholesterol Panel
• Prostate Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer

Especially for Black men, prostate and colon cancers strike earlier and more aggressively. Start screening in your early 40s—or sooner if you have a family history.

3. Know Your Family History Like Your Life Depends on It

Because it might. Many major conditions—cancer, diabetes, heart disease—run in families. Don’t just brush it off. Ask questions. Get informed.

4. Prioritize Mental Health—It’s Part of Being Whole

“Anxiety, depression, PTSD—these don’t make you less of a man. They make you human,” Dr. Brockett Walker adds.

Therapy. Talking to a trusted friend. Showing up for yourself emotionally. Dr. Brockett Walker says we need to ditch the stigma and normalize the healing.

5. Make Self-Care a Daily Habit, Not a Last Resort

Stress, pressure, and burnout are real. Here’s how Dr. Brockett Walker recommends staying ahead of the crash:

• Walk or move your body daily
• Eat real food more often than fast food
• Set boundaries and rest without guilt
• Make time for things that bring you joy

“Even small, consistent actions can make a huge impact,” she notes.

6. Don’t Delay—Early Care Means Better Outcomes

Putting off appointments? Avoiding the doctor? That delay can turn manageable issues into emergencies.

“A single positive encounter can shift a man’s perspective on healthcare,” Dr. Brockett Walker adds.

7. Find a Provider You Trust—It Makes All the Difference

Dr. Brockett Walker urges men to find providers who meet them with respect, empathy, and real talk. No judgment. No shame. Just support.

8. Know This: You Deserve Care

You don’t have to be near death to be taken seriously. You don’t have to “earn” rest or support. You deserve care because you’re human, and that’s enough.

Final Word from Dr. Brockett Walker:

“Health is not a one-time event—it’s a journey. Start small, keep going, and speak up. Your life could depend on it,” she concludes.