Black American Health Statistics

[olufemi_baina_ayo]

Statistics show black men worse off

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, 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
40% of black men die prematurely from cardiovascular disease as compared to 21% of white men
They have a higher incidence and a higher rate of death from oral cancer
Black men are 5 times more likely to die of HIV/AIDS

Other Health Statistics

44% of black men are considered overweight
24% are obese
Black men suffer more preventable oral diseases that are treatable
A higher incidence of diabetes and prostate cancer
A high suicide rate.






Ten Leading Causes of death in the U.S.(2001) Black Americans

# Cardiovascular Disease

# Cancer

# Stroke

# Unintentional injuries

# Diabetes

# Homicide

# HIV/AIDS

# Chronic lower respiratory disease

# Nephritis, Nephrotic syndrome and Nephrosis

# Septicemia

Source: Health, U.S., 2003, Table 3

Updated: November 9, 2006

[Kala]

Greetings Sis Olufemi

Asante sana for providing this info.

While I do think statistics can be helpful. It is also important that we be aware that statistics are usually biased and therefore misleading. For example, many statistics gathered for HIV/AIDS info is based upon information manditorily gathered at health clinics and such, where poorer peoples are treated. If a majority of people of African decent (women) go to these types of clinics, then the information that would represent the general population would be misconstrued.

We need to be careful about what we believe are the "leading causes of death for the Afrikan population" and be mindful of why media and health groups might want to promote the idea that we are have highest rate of certain dis-eases. Plus we all know the leading cause of death for Afrikans is ...that's right, white Supremacy!

Medase for this info once again,

Kala

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