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This post is going to cover Black Male Health Disparities. 

• Some of the health disparities for African American Males. 

• Why does it happen?

• What can be done?

• Where do we go from here?

 

 

When it comes to health problem, us African American Men are number one in a lot of categories we would prefer not to rank.

 

Here are a few:

• Heart Disease: African Americans aged 18 to 49 are two times more likely to die of heart disease than other Americans.

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

• Cancer: Yes the dreaded “C” word. Cancer is a killer among all races, but again African American men rank number one here also. Lung cancer and prostate cancer are real issues for us.

• Diabetes (high blood sugar): are twice as likely to have diabetes and is more likely to have complications from diabetes like renal diseases and amputations.

• Stroke: Strokes are vascular (blood vessel) diseases and having high blood pressure is a risk factor for strokes. That means it is not surprising that we are number one in this area.

• Sickle cell disease: Sickle cell disease is a disease that is inherited (you get it from your parents). It is a disease that causes your red blood cells to be shaped different, die quickly, and stick together, which causes a lack of blood flow. This causes pain.

 

These are just are just some of the diseases that affect African American men.

 

So why does this happen?

To be honest I believe it is from a lack of education. As black men we have a lot going on in our society.

We face racism, stress, and just the hardship of being a provider so we never become educated on health.

We also are products of our environments. If you grow up in a home that is not very health conscious you tend lack health knowledge.

This is why I created Man of Health to educate all men.

There is also health disparities when it comes to the treatment of African American men.

As a provider I have seen this disparity time and time again. I have seen inappropriate treatment and a lack of follow up by providers. This is not the norm but it does happen.

 

What can be done?

• Education: As men we need to share the knowledge of health. We need to ensure that we don’t just discuss music, food, and sports but that we include health in our everyday discussions.

 

I truly believe that Man of Health can bridge that gap of education, so that men are educated about their health.

 

• Self improvement: This may be a hard pill to swallow but their has to be self improvement. I can educate until I’m blue in the face, but you have to be self driven. You have to do screenings (colorectal screening, prostate screenings, monitor your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure). You have to change your diet and exercise. Trust me I love food but you have to be healthy.

 

Where do we go from here?

There is no where but up. I am hoping with Man of Health to help every man become a healthier version of themselves. So if these articles and this website helps you even a little, share it with someone you care about.