Black American Men’s Health
Statistics show Black men worse off
From Jerry Kennard
Black men suffer far worse health than any other racial group in America. There are a number of reasons for this. They include racial discrimination, a lack of affordable health services, poor health education, cultural barriers, and poverty, employment that does not carry health insurance, insufficient medical and social services catering for Black men.
Black Male Health
Statistics:
Black men live 7.1 years less than other racial groups. They have higher death rates than women for all leading causes of death. They experience disproportionately higher death rates in all the leading causes of death. Forty percent of Black men die prematurely from cardiovascular disease as compared to 21 percent of white men. They have a higher incidence and a higher rate of death from oral cancer. Black men are five times more likely to die of HIV/AIDS.
Other Health Statistics
Forty-four percent of Black men are considered overweight; 24 percent are obese. Black men suffer more preventable oral diseases that are treatable; a higher incidence of diabetes and prostate cancer; a high suicide rate. It is the third leading cause of death in 15 to 24 year olds.
Ten leading causes of death in the U.S. (2008) Black Americans: · Cardiovascular Disease · Cancer · Stroke · Unintentional injuries · Diabetes · Homicide · HIV/AIDS · Chronic lower respiratory disease · Nephritis, Nephrotic syndrome and Nephrosis · Septicemia.
