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Health Risk Factors for Black Men

Because minorities, in general, have an increased risk of developing chronic health conditions, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) developed the Office of Minority Health (OMH) to study the trends and provide education. Through its research, the OMH identifies the black community as a population at high risk for developing certain health conditions. Whether it is due to hereditary factors, cultural traditions or lifestyle, black men have a higher risk of developing certain serious chronic health conditions.

  1. Heart Disease

    • According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the top cause of death in black men. The OMH reports that black men are less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease, but are 30 percent more likely to die from this condition compared to white men. Black men are also more likely to have hypertension, or high blood pressure. In this population, hypertension may be attributed to genetic predisposition, lifestyle or a combination of the two. Risk factors for heart disease and hypertension are being overweight, inactivity, smoking and diets high in saturated fats.

    Stroke

    • When the blood supply is disrupted to the brain, whether by blockage of a blood vessel or by rupture of a blood vessel, a stroke occurs. While it is possible to recover from a stroke, this condition tends to be a leading cause of mortality in black men. Black men are almost 60 percent more likely to die as a result of a stroke than white men. Rates of disability are also higher in black males who survive strokes. Risk factors for stroke include family history, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and inactivity.

    Cancer

    • Cancer risk factors include family history, environmental hazards and lifestyle behaviors. Certain cancers are more prevalent in black men: lung, prostate and stomach. Black men are more likely than white men to die of stomach, prostate and colon cancer. The higher death rate may be attributed, in part, to lower socioeconomic status. Due to the lack of insurance or finances to cover health care costs, black men are less likely to be diagnosed early, and therefore, less likely to receive early treatment. Because of diagnosis late in the disease process, it is less likely that treatment will be effective.

    Diabetes

    • In general, it can be difficult to determine if familial incidence of diabetes is due to genetics or familial behaviors. At any rate, black men demonstrate higher incidences of risk factors associated with the development of diabetes: poor diet, inactivity, being overweight, high cholesterol and hypertension. According to 2002 statistics, black men are twice as likely as white males to require end stage kidney disease treatment due to diabetes. They are also at higher risk for other diabetes complications, such as amputations and visual impairments.

    HIV/AIDS

    • As of 2007, black males have a rate of HIV/AIDS occurrence that is seven times that of white males and were nine times more likely to die from HIV/AIDS. The most common route of transmission for black men is through unprotected sexual contact with another man. It is difficult to determine the specific cause for these statistics, but cultural beliefs play a major role. Issues related to sex are not generally discussed openly in many black homes; therefore related issues, such as HIV/AIDS, are not discussed. There continues to be a stigma attached to this disease and many in the minority population find it difficult to address.

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