African American Health Disparities: 10 Conditions More Common in Black People
Key takeaways:
Black people in the U.S. face significant health disparities that are linked to higher rates of chronic diseases and shorter lifespans.
There are certain conditions that are more common in the Black population than in other groups. This includes high blood pressure, sickle cell disease, and chronic kidney disease, to name a few.
Social and economic factors like lack of access to healthcare and nutritious food options can lead to worse health outcomes and missed or late diagnoses.
Table of contents
Black people in the U.S. face unique health challenges that often lead to chronic conditions that strike earlier and hit harder. These conditions can have devastating effects on individuals and their families. These health disparities go beyond genetics. They reflect barriers like limited access to healthcare, nutritious food, and safe places to exercise.
Health disparities affecting Black people in the U.S. also stem from long-standing racism and discrimination practices. These are linked to a variety of social and economic factors that affect health.
African American health disparities continue to result in worse health outcomes for Black people and a shorter lifespan than white people in the U.S.
The best asthma medication for Black children: Here’s why some treatments may work better for Black children than others.
Stress and high blood pressure: Find out how racism, discrimination, and other stressors can play a role in high blood pressure in Black adults.
Healthcare resources for the Black community: These organizations are helping to improve health equity for Black people in the U.S.
Let’s take a closer look at 10 health issues more common among Black people in the U.S.
1. High blood pressure (hypertension)
High blood pressure happens when blood is being pumped throughout the body with too much force on your artery walls. Black people in the U.S. are more likely to have high blood pressure, often at younger ages. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious problems like:
Vision changes or blindness
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2. Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar. Black people in the U.S. are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared with white people. If not treated, diabetes can also lead to complications, such as:
Kidney damage
Stroke
3. Obesity
Obesity is a condition that’s more common in Black people than in other groups in the U.S. The obesity health gap is rooted in social and economic barriers. A lack of access to affordable, nutritious foods can lend itself to excess weight gain.
Obesity poses serious health risks because it raises the risk of chronic diseases, like:
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Cancers (in the colon, uterus, and kidney for example)
Not surprisingly, you’ll find many of these listed among the chronic conditions more common in African Americans.
4. Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory condition that’s much more likely to be diagnosed in Black people. And it’s often more severe. For some, this may be due in part to economic environmental issues like lower air quality, pollution, or mold. Lack of access to healthcare can also make managing the condition more challenging and lead to worse outcomes.
5. Cancers
Certain cancers have a higher death rate in Black people — even though they may occur more frequently in other groups. This is partly because of a lack of access to healthcare and screenings that can catch cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. Cancers that disproportionately affect Black people include:
Lung (in Black men)
6. Sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited condition that predominantly affects Black people. It causes the red blood cells to take on an abnormal shape. It can lead to serious health problems like:
Chronic pain
Infections
Low energy
Anemia
Stroke
Organ damage (heart, spleen, liver, kidney)
Avascular necrosis (bone damage)
People with SCD need regular and intensive medical care throughout their lifetime. For Black people with social and economic barriers to healthcare, this can make living with this condition even more challenging.
7. Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is more common in Black people in the U.S., who are more than three times as likely to have the conditions than other groups. This is likely because diabetes and high blood pressure are more common in African Americans. And these conditions are the leading causes of kidney disease. Making kidney health a priority can help protect the kidneys and preserve their function.
8. Heart disease
Heart disease is a term that refers to conditions that affect the heart and its blood vessels. It’s the number one cause of death in the U.S., and Black people are at a higher risk. Heart disease includes irregularities of:
Heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Heart muscle (like cardiomyopathy)
Heart valve
The strength and function of the heart (like heart failure)
Blood flow to the heart (coronary artery disease)
9. HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a condition that weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections. It’s caused by a virus that’s passed through blood and bodily fluids. Black people make up a large percentage of people living with HIV — about 40% of cases. Regular screening for HIV and starting treatment early can prevent serious health complications. And it can also reduce the spread of the virus.
HIV is most commonly transmitted by:
Unprotected sex
Needle sticks
Tattoos or piercings using contaminated equipment
Childbirth or breastfeeding
10. Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a condition that causes inflammation in some tissues and organs. It affects Black people more often, possibly due to genetic and environmental factors. The most common areas of the body affected by sarcoidosis include:
Lungs
Skin
Eyes
Lymph nodes
Joints
Heart
African Americans affected by sarcoidosis tend to have lots of health disparities in trying to manage the condition, such as:
Higher rates of hospitalization or death
Diagnosis at much earlier ages
Delayed diagnosis
Worse health outcomes
Greater financial strain
Less representation in clinical trials for new treatments
Causes of racial health disparities in the U.S.
Racial health differences in the U.S. are caused by many interconnected socioeconomic factors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common barriers Black people face as it relates to their health.
Lack of access to healthcare
Many Black people in the U.S. have trouble getting quality healthcare. This can be due to a lack of:
Insurance
Local healthcare professionals
Local healthcare facilities
This can lead to delayed diagnoses, fewer treatment options, and worse health outcomes overall.
Discrimination and bias
Racial discrimination in healthcare can lead to substandard care for Black people. This bias can come from both healthcare professionals and the healthcare system itself. Implicit bias among healthcare professionals can lead to misdiagnosis and unequal treatment. It can also reduce trust in them.
Environmental factors
Some Black people may live in communities that have poor air quality, few safe outdoor spaces, and high crime. These social determinants of health can create environments that lead to worse health outcomes and higher rates of chronic conditions.
Limited health education and awareness
Gaps in health education may cause a lack of awareness about preventive care, screenings, and lifestyle strategies that could reduce disease risk. Cultural and language barriers also contribute to misunderstandings or reluctance in getting care.
Economic factors
A lack of financial resources can affect healthcare. People with lower incomes may have a hard time to afford:
Medical visits
Prescriptions
Nutritious food options
Health insurance
Financial barriers can also include a lower-wage job that doesn’t offer paid sick leave. This can make it harder for some people to afford taking time off to get healthcare.
Resources that can help Black people overcome health disparities
Improving health for Black people means addressing gaps in care. Here are some key resources that can help. They aim to improve healthcare access, health education, and economic well-being.
Community health centers: They offer low-cost care, especially to people who are uninsured and have low incomes. These centers offer basic care, checkups, and treatment for long-term health issues.
Health education and advocacy organizations: These groups focus on health education and share ways to prevent diseases and make healthy choices. They also help users navigate the healthcare system.
Mental health support: Groups like Therapy for Black Girls and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provide resources and therapy. They support the unique mental health needs of the Black community.
Chronic disease management programs: Organizations like the American Diabetes Association help those with long-term health issues. Local health programs may also offer free health screenings and support.
Access to nutritious food options: The Black Farmers’ Market and Soul Fire Farm are examples of programs that support food justice. They make healthy food more accessible in Black communities that may be in food deserts.
Exercise and wellness programs: Programs that promote exercise and healthy living can be especially beneficial in Black communities. Black Girls Run, Black Men Run, and other local community fitness groups urge Black people to get fit, reduce stress, and improve health.
The bottom line
Black people in the U.S. face health disparities. This results in certain chronic conditions being more common and worse health outcomes for this community. Lack of access to healthcare and social and economic resources, and discrimination are often at the root of these issues. Improving access to care, health education, and supportive resources can help to decrease the health gap and improve the health of the Black community overall.
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References
American Heart Association. (2024). Cholesterol and diabetes.
American Heart Association. (2024). High blood pressure among black people.
American Lung Association. (2024). The unequal burden of asthma on the Black community.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Socioeconomic factors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Cancer and African American people.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Obesity and cancer.
Lofton, H., et al. (2023). Obesity among African American people in the United States: A review. Obesity.
Mensah, G. A. (2018). Cardiovascular diseases in African Americans: Fostering community partnerships to stem the tide. American Journal of Kidney Diseases.
Mirsaeidi, M., et al. (2015). Racial difference in sarcoidosis mortality in the United States. Chest.
National Institutes of Health News Release. (2022). Life expectancy in the U.S. increased between 2000-2019, but widespread gaps among racial and ethnic groups exist.
National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Black kidney health matters.
Office of Minority Health. (2023). Diabetes and African Americans.
Office of Minority Health. (2023). HIV/AIDS and African Americans.
Sharp, M., et al. (2020). Socioeconomic determinants and disparities in sarcoidosis. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Advancing better health through better understanding for Black and African American communities: Health literacy, health care access, and culturally appropriate care 2024 reading list.
