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| The Family that Prays Together...Stays Together! |
| Bolden - Scruggs - Tucker - Searcy - Morris |
African American Health
Statistics present only a small part of the story of African American health. However, disease and death
statistics give us a chance to consider differences that exist between races and areas of possible
change. The harder question follows: What are the causes behind the differences? The following
statistics are only a starting point for working to improve overall African American health. Some of the
most serious diseases and causes of death for African Americans are: infant mortality, heart disease,
cancer, stroke, diabetes, and AIDS.
Newborns
In 1998 in the United States, more than twice as many African American newborn babies died (13.9 of
every 100,000) as white newborns (6 out of every 100,000). Similar statistics show that this pattern has
existed for many years. The causes of these deaths are many. It is important for a pregnant woman to
begin prenatal care as soon as she discovers she is pregnant. Many of the causes of infant death can
be prevented through good prenatal care.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is one of the many causes of infant death. Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome refers to babies, less than one year of age, dying while they sleep. The exact cause remains
unknown, but much is known about how to prevent these deaths. In 1998, this syndrome took the lives
of more than twice the number of African American infants (140 out of every 100,000) as white infants
(66.4 out of every 100,000).
Adults
The following table shows that the ten leading causes of death for African Americans and whites are
similar, although they occur at different rates within each population. The unique causes in each top
ten list are highlighted.
Significant differences show up when one looks at how many people of each race the leading diseases
kill:
Heart Disease
In 1998, coronary heart disease killed 136.3 out of 100,000 African Americans while killing 95.1 per
100,000 whites.
There were 42.5 deaths from stroke per 100,000 African Americans versus 23.3 deaths per 100,000 from
stroke amongst white adults. Click here for information on preventing stroke.
Cancer
African American men are at least 50% more likely to develop lung cancer than white men.
African American men also die more often from cancer of the lung and bronchus (100.8 per 100,000)
than do white men (70.1 per 100,000).
African American men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as white men.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women overall, and also in African American
women, though the rate of breast cancer is slightly lower for African American women than white
women. 6 Click here for more information.
Diabetes
African Americans have a rate of diabetes of 33.0 per 100,000 compared to a rate of 23.2 in whites.
AIDS
Almost ten times as many African Americans (age 13 and older) contracted AIDS in 1998 (84.2 per
100,000) as whites in that age group. The good news is that much of the spread of AIDS can be stopped
by simple lifestyle decisions. Click here for information on how to prevent AIDS transmission.
Representing only an estimated 12% of the total U.S. population, African Americans make up almost 37%
of all AIDS cases reported in the country.
Other
Additional disease statistic information is available through the health topics page of the African
American Health Center.
Lifestyle
It is hard to know the exact reasons behind the African American health statistics listed above. We do
know that smoking and other tobacco use contribute to diseases such as coronary heart disease,
stroke and lung cancer. We also know that obesity and inactivity contribute to many diseases.
Unprotected sex and drug abuse enable the transmission of AIDS.
Tobacco Use
In 1997, smoking rates were similar among African American adults (26.7%) and white adults (25.3%). In a
1999 study of teens, 40.1% of white high school seniors had smoked in the past month compared with
only 14.9% of African American high school seniors. However, studies also show that the chemical
nicotine (found in tobacco) remains at higher levels in the bodies of African American smokers than
white smokers. This could have to do with the type of cigarette African Americans smoke, or the way
in which their bodies break down nicotine. Approximately three of every four African American smokers
prefer menthol cigarettes (versus one in four whites). Menthol may increase the body's absorption of
the harmful ingredients in cigarette smoke. Click here for tips on quitting smoking, one of the main
causes of lung cancer.
Diet and Nutrition
For some African Americans, a family tradition of soul food may pose a problem when combined with
today's lifestyle, which tends to be less active. Soul foods traditionally depend on fat, sugar and sodium
for their flavor. Click here for tips on improving the nutritional content of your diet for improved health.
Diet & Nutrition
For some African Americans, a family tradition of soul food may pose a problem when combined with
today's lifestyle, which tends to be less active. Soul foods traditionally depend on fat, sugar and
sodium for their flavor.
Unprotected Sex/Drug Abuse
In 1988, among African American men with AIDS, 34% were intravenous (shot into a vein) drug abusers or
had female sex partners who were intravenous drug abusers. This was true for only 5% of white men
with AIDS. Among African American women with AIDS, 74% were intravenous-drug abusers or had male
sex partners who were intravenous-drug abusers, compared with 52% for U.S. white women. Overall,
42% of African American AIDS cases and only 7% of white AIDS cases are related to intravenous-drug
abuse by heterosexuals (including AIDS in children of drug abusers). Of all U.S. AIDS cases associated
with intravenous-drug abuse by heterosexuals, 54% occurred among blacks. The AIDS virus can be
spread if drug abusers share used needles, and also through sexual contact. For information on drug
abuse, as well as treatment and prevention, click here.
Summary
Much of the disease and premature death that affects people of all races can be linked to lifestyle
choices. African Americans are no exception, and in fact, statistics suggest that a number of behaviors
that are harmful to one's health are common amongst this group. Fortunately, smoking is no more
pervasive in the African American community than the white community, and may be less so among
teenagers. However, obesity and intravenous drug abuse are more common among African Americans
than whites. Hopefully, education and awareness will reverse this trend and we will see a reduction in
disease rates.
Submitted by Alfred Bolden, Jr.
Statistics present only a small part of the story of African American health. However, disease and death
statistics give us a chance to consider differences that exist between races and areas of possible
change. The harder question follows: What are the causes behind the differences? The following
statistics are only a starting point for working to improve overall African American health. Some of the
most serious diseases and causes of death for African Americans are: infant mortality, heart disease,
cancer, stroke, diabetes, and AIDS.
Newborns
In 1998 in the United States, more than twice as many African American newborn babies died (13.9 of
every 100,000) as white newborns (6 out of every 100,000). Similar statistics show that this pattern has
existed for many years. The causes of these deaths are many. It is important for a pregnant woman to
begin prenatal care as soon as she discovers she is pregnant. Many of the causes of infant death can
be prevented through good prenatal care.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is one of the many causes of infant death. Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome refers to babies, less than one year of age, dying while they sleep. The exact cause remains
unknown, but much is known about how to prevent these deaths. In 1998, this syndrome took the lives
of more than twice the number of African American infants (140 out of every 100,000) as white infants
(66.4 out of every 100,000).
Adults
The following table shows that the ten leading causes of death for African Americans and whites are
similar, although they occur at different rates within each population. The unique causes in each top
ten list are highlighted.
Significant differences show up when one looks at how many people of each race the leading diseases
kill:
Heart Disease
In 1998, coronary heart disease killed 136.3 out of 100,000 African Americans while killing 95.1 per
100,000 whites.
There were 42.5 deaths from stroke per 100,000 African Americans versus 23.3 deaths per 100,000 from
stroke amongst white adults. Click here for information on preventing stroke.
Cancer
African American men are at least 50% more likely to develop lung cancer than white men.
African American men also die more often from cancer of the lung and bronchus (100.8 per 100,000)
than do white men (70.1 per 100,000).
African American men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as white men.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women overall, and also in African American
women, though the rate of breast cancer is slightly lower for African American women than white
women. 6 Click here for more information.
Diabetes
African Americans have a rate of diabetes of 33.0 per 100,000 compared to a rate of 23.2 in whites.
AIDS
Almost ten times as many African Americans (age 13 and older) contracted AIDS in 1998 (84.2 per
100,000) as whites in that age group. The good news is that much of the spread of AIDS can be stopped
by simple lifestyle decisions. Click here for information on how to prevent AIDS transmission.
Representing only an estimated 12% of the total U.S. population, African Americans make up almost 37%
of all AIDS cases reported in the country.
Other
Additional disease statistic information is available through the health topics page of the African
American Health Center.
Lifestyle
It is hard to know the exact reasons behind the African American health statistics listed above. We do
know that smoking and other tobacco use contribute to diseases such as coronary heart disease,
stroke and lung cancer. We also know that obesity and inactivity contribute to many diseases.
Unprotected sex and drug abuse enable the transmission of AIDS.
Tobacco Use
In 1997, smoking rates were similar among African American adults (26.7%) and white adults (25.3%). In a
1999 study of teens, 40.1% of white high school seniors had smoked in the past month compared with
only 14.9% of African American high school seniors. However, studies also show that the chemical
nicotine (found in tobacco) remains at higher levels in the bodies of African American smokers than
white smokers. This could have to do with the type of cigarette African Americans smoke, or the way
in which their bodies break down nicotine. Approximately three of every four African American smokers
prefer menthol cigarettes (versus one in four whites). Menthol may increase the body's absorption of
the harmful ingredients in cigarette smoke. Click here for tips on quitting smoking, one of the main
causes of lung cancer.
Diet and Nutrition
For some African Americans, a family tradition of soul food may pose a problem when combined with
today's lifestyle, which tends to be less active. Soul foods traditionally depend on fat, sugar and sodium
for their flavor. Click here for tips on improving the nutritional content of your diet for improved health.
Diet & Nutrition
For some African Americans, a family tradition of soul food may pose a problem when combined with
today's lifestyle, which tends to be less active. Soul foods traditionally depend on fat, sugar and
sodium for their flavor.
Unprotected Sex/Drug Abuse
In 1988, among African American men with AIDS, 34% were intravenous (shot into a vein) drug abusers or
had female sex partners who were intravenous drug abusers. This was true for only 5% of white men
with AIDS. Among African American women with AIDS, 74% were intravenous-drug abusers or had male
sex partners who were intravenous-drug abusers, compared with 52% for U.S. white women. Overall,
42% of African American AIDS cases and only 7% of white AIDS cases are related to intravenous-drug
abuse by heterosexuals (including AIDS in children of drug abusers). Of all U.S. AIDS cases associated
with intravenous-drug abuse by heterosexuals, 54% occurred among blacks. The AIDS virus can be
spread if drug abusers share used needles, and also through sexual contact. For information on drug
abuse, as well as treatment and prevention, click here.
Summary
Much of the disease and premature death that affects people of all races can be linked to lifestyle
choices. African Americans are no exception, and in fact, statistics suggest that a number of behaviors
that are harmful to one's health are common amongst this group. Fortunately, smoking is no more
pervasive in the African American community than the white community, and may be less so among
teenagers. However, obesity and intravenous drug abuse are more common among African Americans
than whites. Hopefully, education and awareness will reverse this trend and we will see a reduction in
disease rates.
Submitted by Alfred Bolden, Jr.
Highlights From The 2007 Reunion Program Book