Here’s to your health! When it comes to staying healthy African-Americans experience multiple challenges. Genetically specific disease like sickle cell anemia is confined to African-Americans, but it is not one of the ten leading causes of death for Blacks. Blacks die most commonly from the same ailments that plague those of other races, but they do so with different frequency and often at younger ages than their white, yellow, and red skinned counterparts.
In a report issued in 2010 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) lists the top ten leading causes of death in those of African descent as follows:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Unintentional injuries
- Diabetes
- Kidney Diseases such as Nephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome, and Nephrosis
- Chronic lower respiratory disease
- Homicide
- Septicemia (blood poisoning)
- HIV/AIDS
A high prevalence of other health issues directly contributes to these deaths. Black people have a higher incidence of hypertension (high blood pressure), smoking and tobacco use, obesity, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, infant mortality, teen pregnancy, asthma, tuberculosis, and high cholesterol than other races. They also get less flu vaccines than other populations.
In 2007, the average American could expect to live 77.9 years, while the average African American could only expect to live 73.6 years, compared with 78.4 years for the average White American. The U.S. infant mortality rate for mothers of all races was 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births while the rate for white mothers was only 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. The rate for African-American mothers was 13.2 deaths per 1,000 live births.
If you are an African-American you can help make this your healthiest year ever by adding more fruits and veggies to your diet, getting a flu vaccine, engaging in moderate exercise on a regular basis, obtaining prenatal care if you are pregnant, and going to your doctor for an annual physical. Make your appointment today.