Useful Resources

African Americans: A Health Snapshot

October 3, 2008

The health concerns of African-Americans are varied and critical. African-American men have the highest death rate of all racial and ethnic groups, male and female. The 10 leading causes of death for African-Americans are: heart disease; cancer; stroke; diabetes; unintentional injuries; homicide; nephritis, nephritic syndrome and nephrosis; chronic lower respiratory disease; HIV/AIDS and septicemia. There is also a high prevalence of hypertension, infant mortality and tuberculosis. Nearly one-third of African-Americans (ages 18 to 64) were not insured during 2001, compared to 20 percent of non-elderly white adults, which makes it difficult for some to obtain needed care. Blacks are also less likely than whites to have job-based insurance and are more likely to rely on public services. The 35 million African-Americans in the U.S. constitute 12 percent of the population. They are distributed throughout the United States, with the greatest concentrations in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions.

Understanding the Issue
Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities (OMHD)

The goal of this branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is to eliminate health disparities.

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Statistics, Trends and Research
Office of Minority Health

Basic health profile with statistics on African-Americans.

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The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Comparison of health status and health access of African-American men and other male minority groups in the United States.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Useful links to tables disclosing information regarding health status, health risk factors, access to health insurance, and more factors affecting the non-Hispanic black population.

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Public Policy
The Commonwealth Fund

Findings from a 2001 survey of African-Americans about the quality of their health care, from the Commonwealth Fund.

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Harvard Health Policy Review

Interesting report examining African-American health disparities throughout history.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Communication

Transcript of a 2003 media briefing on the effects of diabetes, influenza and domestic violence on the black population.

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Advocacy
The Center for African American Health

Denver-based organization founded by black clergy to provide disease prevention and disease management programs to African-Americans in Denver.

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Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.

Raising awareness about the disease and its prevalence in blacks, this site links to specific legislation and coping programs.

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International Society on Hypertension in Blacks

Advocacy organization links to various clinical trials involving African-Americans and hypertension.

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Guidance for Consumers
Weight-Control Information Network

Tips for African-Americans trying to improve their weight and eating habits, from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

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National Diabetes Education Program

10 ways African Americans can prevent Type 2 diabetes.

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Black Women’s Health Imperative

Health information specifically for black women.

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Blogs
The African American Health Network

Most blog entries link to or include a related health article.

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National African HIV/AIDS Initiative Blog

A blog platform sponsored by the U.S. Office of Minority Health.

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