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Black History Month: health disparities in blacks

  • Published
  • By David Hey, Ph.D.
  • 319th Aeromedical Dental Squadron
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 35 million individuals (approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population) identify themselves only as black or African American. By 2035, that number is projected to climb to roughly 50 million people (U.S. Census, 2000). What's troublesome is that blacks are one of a few groups who continue to be disproportionately hit with health disparities. The Health Resources and Services Administration define health disparities as "population-specific differences in the presence of disease, health outcomes, or access to health care." 

In the United States, health disparities are well documented in minority populations such as blacks, American Indians, Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans. When compared to whites, these groups have higher incidence of chronic diseases, higher mortality and poorer health outcomes. Among the disease-specific examples of racial and ethnic disparities in the United States is the cancer incidence rate among blacks, which is approximately 10 percent higher than among whites (Center for Disease Control - 2006). In addition, adult blacks and Hispanic Americans have approximately twice the risk of whites of developing diabetes (CDC, 2006). Minorities also have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, and infant mortality than whites. (See: Ten Leading Causes of Death in the U.S in 2002 for Blacks) 

Ten leading causes of death in the U.S. in 2002 for blacks
1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Stroke
4. Diabetes
5. Unintentional injuries
6. Homicide
7. HIV/AIDS
8. Chronic lower respiratory disease
9. Nephritis - inflammation of the kidneys
10. Septicemia - bacterial infection of the blood

Source: National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2004
Health disparities are particularly striking when you examine life expectancy, infant mortality and other measures of health status for blacks. For example, in 1999 the average American could expect to live 76.9 years, the average black person could only expect to live 71.4 years (National Center for Health Statistics, Health U.S., 2002). 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services since 1979 has been diligently working to eliminate the health disparities in minority groups and notably in African Americans with the creation of the Healthy People series. Healthy People 2010 is a comprehensive set of disease prevention and health promotion objectives for the Nation to achieve over the first decade of the new century. Created by scientists both inside and outside of Government, the document identifies a wide range of public health priorities and specific, measurable objectives. The overarching goal is for communities to work collaboratively with Government and private sector to meet and eventually exceed the goals and objectives as outlined in the document. You can view the report at: http://www.healthypeople.gov.