About six-in-ten black adults or more, compared with fewer than half of whites, say that blacks are treated less fairly than whites in hiring, pay and promotions; when applying for a loan or mortgage; in stores or restaurants; when voting in elections; and when seeking medical treatment.
Full Answer
Are African Americans more likely to be referred to mental health treatment?
In the 2010 TEDS survey, African Americans entering treatment were also less likely than Asian Americans, White Americans, Latinos, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, or American Indians in the same situation to be referred to treatment through the criminal justice system (SAMHSA, CBHSQ 2012).
What are the challenges African Americans face in accessing behavioral health treatment?
African Americans experience several challenges in accessing behavioral health treatment, including fears about the therapist or therapeutic process and concerns about discrimination and costs (Holden et al. 2012; Holden and Xanthos 2009; Williams et al. 2012).
Does focusing on health risks reduce health disparities among African Americans?
It is evident that focusing on health risks alone is not conducive to redressing health disparities among African Americans, given that structural factors primarily underlie their poorer health outcomes and shorter lifespans.
What are the components of African American health?
The following sections present the main components of African American health, as outlined in our conceptual framework: social determinants of health and health disparities, health needs (morbidity and mortality), health risks, and health services. Special emphasis is made on mental health and criminal and incarceration issues.
Associated Data
Not applicable. Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.
Abstract
Using a modified social ecological model, we conducted a review of the literature and nationwide statistics on African American health. We discuss the main social determinants of health and main health disparities, risk factors, the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and access to health services for blacks in the USA.
Background
In 1928, Louis Israel Dublin wrote “An improvement in Negro health, to the point where it would compare favorably with that of the white race, would at one stroke wipe out many disabilities from which the race suffers, improve its economic status and stimulate its native abilities as would no other single improvement.
Conclusions
After 250 years of social segregation and discrimination, current health data confirm that African Americans are the least healthy ethnic group in the USA.
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the invaluable help of Dr. Anne Marie O´Keefe, Professor at Morgan State University School of Community Health and Policy, who peer-reviewed and edited preliminary versions of the manuscript.
Footnotes
2 Superfund sites are hazardous waste cleanup sites managed by the US Environmental Protection Agency since the early 1980s. They pose potential threats to human health and the environment. https://www.epa.gov/superfund
Why do African Americans use the Bible?
African American families have a long standing history of preferring to use the bible and religion as a method of coping with life troubles and stress. Studies have found that African Americans report higher levels of religious and church involvement than the general population (Boyd-Franklin, 2003). As a result of this preference, many African ...
What does Boyd Franklin say about African Americans?
For example, when confronted with a stressful situation an African American may say “God will give me the strength to overcome all obstacles.”.
Why are there more African Americans without insurance?
And, that problem arises because we have a very fragmented health care system that has placed profits over patients, so that too many people are left out.
What are the factors that contribute to the negative outlook of African Americans?
But there is also one huge problem that contributes to this negative outlook for African Americans: lack of insurance.
How long do white men live?
According to a study published in Health Services Research, white males live approximately seven years longer than African American males, and white women live more than five years longer than black women. Finally, African Americans fare far worse when it comes to infant mortality-their rate is almost double the national average.
What are the challenges African Americans face?
African Americans Often Face Challenges Accessing Substance Use Treatment. The opioid crisis has had devastating effects on communities all over the country—with particular challenges for communities of color. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the largest percentage increase in drug overdose deaths in recent years ...
What are the barriers to relapse?
That means reducing barriers such as cost, travel time, insurance pre-authorizations, fear of incarceration, and fear of losing health or other social services benefits —such as housing, job training, or SNAP —because of a relapse.