Contributing Factors for Poor Health of African Americans

Health care has always been a hot topic issue for Americans. With the rise of obesity, pollutants in the atmosphere and the development of chronic health conditions, more Americans have become increasingly aware of lifestyle choices and other factors that affect their health. Due to genetics, lifestyle and other contributing factors, African-Americans are particularly susceptible to developing certain diseases and conditions. With significantly higher deaths rates than any other group in the United States, it is imperative that the health issues plaguing African-Americans are identified and improved.

Poor Diet

• Soul food is a vital part of African-American culture. Unfortunately, too much of these deep-fried, buttered, high-fat, salty and sugary foods can contribute to high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. According to The Center for African American Health (CAA Health), African-Americans have the highest rates of obesity, the greatest chance of developing and dying from heart disease and the highest rate of death from cancer.

Lack of Exercise

• One of the leading causes of many life-threatening disorders is obesity. In recent years, obesity in America has become a prominent issue, as it affects every racial and ethnic group. However, African-Americans are disproportionally affected by obesity and conditions such as hypertension and heart disease that develop as a result of obesity. According to researchers at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine Sciences in Los Angeles, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are to blame. While financial disparities and geographical location contribute to the lack of access to fruits and vegetables and safe areas for outdoor exercise, other actions to combat obesity need to be taken to decrease the alarming rate of death due to obesity-related conditions.

Genetic Factors

• Many health issues are often inherited. Conditions such as sickle-cell anemia, high blood pressure and heart disease are all inherited disorders that plague the African-American community at higher rates than people of other ethnic backgrounds. While some diseases can be controlled with medication or therapy, others can be remedied or relieved by making changes to the diet, increasing physical activity and reducing or eliminating unhealthy behaviors such as smoking.

Lifestyle Choices

• Although factors like genetic predisposition and inherited conditions cannot be altered by the individual, lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption, smoking and engaging in risky sexual practices can. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African-Americans are only 13 percent of the United States population but make up more than 50 percent of all new HIV/AIDS cases. By practicing safe sex, refraining from overindulgence of alcohol and quitting smoking, the rates of related diseases and subsequent deaths would decrease.

Lack of Access to Health Care

• Lack of a primary care physician and lack of early detection and preventive care are two of the primary factors that have led to the poor health of many African-Americans. Without a primary care doctor, many expectant mothers do not receive proper prenatal care, putting them and their babies at risk for a number of health problems that could have been easily remedied or avoided. While many people in the United States do not have health insurance, African-Americans are less likely to receive health care, resulting in little to no preventive care and lack of early detection of serious diseases. Unfortunately, by the time medical attention is given, it is often too late.