Health Status of African American Population

Health Promotion in African American Population
Name
University
Course
Instructor
Due Date
Health Promotion in African American Population
One of the minority groups that continue to face significant health disparities in the United States is the African Americans. African Americans have a unique history and culture that has influenced their health outcomes. To this end, members of the minority have faced significant social and economic challenges, including systemic racism and discrimination, which have contributed to disparities in health outcomes compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Notably, addressing these disparities will require a multifaceted approach that includes efforts to address systemic racism and discrimination, improve access to quality healthcare, and address social determinants of health.
Notably, data from the Centers for Disease Control shows that young African Americans are being affected by disease that are largely experienced by White Americans at an older age, which eventually results in early death among the members of the group (Simons et al., 2021). Race and ethnicity have a significant influence on health for African Americans given that they experience worse economic and social conditions. Thus, African Americans may face barriers to accessing quality healthcare due to factors such as lack of insurance, transportation, and cultural competency among healthcare providers. Further, social determinants of health such as poverty, inadequate housing, and food insecurity also disproportionately affect African Americans.
The African American are experiencing worse outcomes in chronic disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke, and are more likely to die due to all causes earlier than whites (Simons et al., 2021). As a minority, African Americas experience health disparities in several disorders including HIV/AIDs, cancer, and chronic diseases. African Americans also experience higher rates of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, which often go undiagnosed and untreated. Compared to other races, African American infants have higher rates of infant mortality. The disparities are worsened by several nutritional challenges that African Americans face as a minority. Notably, exposure to unfavorable economic conditions means that members of the African American minority face food insecurity and have limited access to healthy food options such as fresh groceries. African Americans may have limited knowledge about healthy eating habits and how to prepare nutritious meals on a budget (Muvuka et al., 2020). For example, most African Americans are not aware that traditional African American cuisine, such as soul food, can be high in calories, sodium, and fat, leading to an increased risk of obesity and related health conditions.
In order to enhance healthcare access to African Americans it is essential to acknowledge barriers that they face towards the achievement of favorable health outcomes. Notably, some of the cultural beliefs and practices serve as cultural barriers as they have negative influence on their health outcomes. For example, some may believe in the use of home remedies rather than seeking medical attention for certain health conditions. Soc...