Health Disparities Amongst African Americans

Written By: Riley George

The start of Black History Month means there will be an influx of injustices brought to light regarding African Americans around the United States. But, perhaps one of the biggest injustices regarding African Americans is in the health disparities.

Statistics show African Americans being at higher risks for heart diseases, strokes, cancer, asthma, diabetes and HIV/AIDS (according to the Office of Minority Health).

Traditional diseases are not the only ones that affect African Americans health. COVID-19 has been affecting the population at a rate 2.6 times higher than the white population of America since the beginning of the pandemic.

Not only do diseases have a higher number of African Americans suffering, but 18% of people suffering from underinsurance are African American. Underinsured meaning that the costs of copays and costs outside of what is covered insurance being higher or equal to not having insurance at all.

Healthcare offered in predominantly African American communities tends to be lower quality overall compared to predominantly white areas. While there is the possibility for people to drive out of their communities to receive better health care, the cost of transportation or lack there of may force them to stay in the area and receive the lesser healthcare.

African American women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy related issues than white women. The death rates for African Americans are higher amongst almost all health related issues.

So, What Can Be Done with the Inequality?

A journal dedicated to psychology, Psychoneuroendocrinology, found that racism and racist experiences bring inflammation onto the body. Increases in inflammation can result in long-term health issues since inflammation weakens the immune system.

The poverty rates for African Americans in 2019 was at 18.8% in the United States, while non-Hispanic whites were at about 7.3% during the same year. Stress and poverty rates are a directly related issue that affects bodily inflammation. Consistently high poverty rates amongst African Americans seems to be a factor in the higher rates of health issues since it relates to inflammation.

Shedding light on this issue of disparity in healthcare, especially during Black History Month, is a way to begin fixing this issue. Advocating for suffering African Americans on different social media platforms can increase awareness for others about the disparities in health care that exist.

Supporting and caring for those in your community that suffer from racial disparities, advocating for a more diverse healthcare field, and advocating for adequate care to be given are small steps that we can take to fix this issue.

Black History Month is a great time to acknowledge the accomplishments of African Americans and a time to use our voices to change flawed or racist programs. Health disparities should be nonexistent when it comes to quality, cost and efficiency.

Let’s advocate for better health care amongst African Americans this Black History Month!