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. It is the 3rd leading cause of death in 15 to 24 year olds
Ten Leading Causes of death in the U.S.(2001) Black Americans
Source: Health, U.S., 2003, Table 3