Health challenges facing African Americans
February 2022’s Black History Month national theme is Black Health and Wellness. This month, the Foundation will be putting a spotlight on the challenges Black Americans face in their health.
Between 2019 and 2020, life expectancy decreased by 2.9 years (74.7 to 71.8) for the non-Hispanic Black population, according to the National Center for Health Statistics’ provisional data. In comparison, the non-Hispanic White population saw a decrease of 1.2 years (78.8 to 77.6).
Data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows the leading causes of death for African Americans in 2020 were heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19. The CDC reports Black Americans are more likely to die at early ages from all causes.
Why is this? Where one lives, learns, works, and plays can put African Americans at greater risk for poor health outcomes. These upstream factors are called social determinants of health and they are key drivers of health inequities.
What can be done? While working on the upstream social determinants of health is critical, there are things individuals can do to live healthier. The CDC recommends the following:
Eat a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Choose foods low in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
Exercise regularly. Adults needs 2-hours, 30-minutes (or 150 minutes total) of exercise each week. Activity may be spread out throughout the week or can be broken up into smaller chunks of time.
Be smokefree. Many free resources are available for help quitting, including coaching and a quit plan, through 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569 for Spanish speakers).
Limit alcohol use, which can lead to long-term health problems, including heart disease and cancer. If you do choose to drink, do so in moderation, which is recommended as no more than one drink a day for women and two per day for men.
Know your family history. There may be factors that could increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Manage any medical condition you might have. Learn the ABCS of heart health. Keep them in mind every day and especially when you talk to your health provider:
A ppropriate aspirin therapy for those who need it
B lood pressure control
C holesterol management
S moking cessation