African American Cultural Considerations

Demographics

According to 2012 data

African Americans are the

second largest minority
population following the
Hispanic/Latino population
43.1 million people in the
U.S. were Black; alone or in
combination.

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Health Issues,
Causes of
Death, &
Health
Disparities

African Americans
are less likely than
their white
counterparts to have
a usual source of
health care
Increased morbidity
and mortality are
present in this
minority due to
delayed access to
care
There is a tendency
for African Americans
to seek emergency
room care. It is
usually sought when
symptoms can not be
ignored and it is late
in the disease
process
Often times peer
advice is sought over
professional advice
when seeking
preventative
measures

Diabetes

In 2010, African Americans

are only 13% of the
population but account for
44% of HIV infections.
For African Americans
HIV/AIDS is one of the
leading causes of death.

African Americans are 30%

more likely to die from
high blood pressure than
their white counterparts.

Heart Disease and

Hypertension

African American adults

watch more television than
other U.S. adults
A.A. adults reported
listening to the radio 10
hours per week with urban
contemporary being the
primary formats.
About 30% spend no time
on the Internet per week.
Most A.A. households own
a computer (86%)
Most A.A. adults use social
media sites.

HIV/AIDS

Access to Care

83% of African Americans

had earned at least a high
school diploma
The average AfricanAmerican household income
was $33,762.
28.1% percent of AfricanAmericans were living at the
poverty level
17.2% of African Americans
were uninsured.

March 2016

African Americans are about

twice as likely to be
diagnosed with diabetes as
non-Hispanic whites.
A.A. are more likely to
experience complications
from diabetes, such as endstage renal disease and
lower extremity
amputations.
In 2013, African Americans
were twice as likely as nonHispanic Whites to die from
diabetes.

more on

 Obesity

African American women

have the highest rates of
being overweight or
obese compared to other
groups in the U.S.

Stroke

83% of African Americans are

insured with 17% relying on
Medicaid and 22% on Medicare

Health Education Tips

African American men

are twice as likely to have
a stroke as their white
adult counterparts.
Black men are 60 percent
more likely to die from a
stroke than their white
adult counterparts.

Coverage

Asthma
In 2012, almost 2.8
million non-Hispanic
Blacks reported that
they currently have
asthma.
In 2013, African
Americans were three
times more likely to
die from asthma
related causes than the
white population.

Cancer

Health Literacy

This group possesses the

highest mortality rate of
any racial and ethnic
group for all cancers
combined.
A.A. men are 2.5 times
more likely to die from
prostate cancer
A.A. women are 2.5 times
more likely to die from
stomach cancer.
A.A. women experience
40% higher mortality with
Breast cancer compared
to white women

Trust

Literacy levels and the use of

slang words should be taken
into consideration

Due to many A.A. being very

spiritual, health professionals
should consider churches for
a setting for health education
when approaching the African
American community.
Family dynamics such as

single mothers and

grandparents being primary
caregivers to grandchildren
should be considered. Health
promotion and communication
should be associated with
mothers and grandparents.

Due to historical cases,

trust can be an issue when
addressing
health
- sodales.
amon.A.A.
African Americans usually Media and other health
have a strong sense of
communication platforms
group associations.
should be a reflection of
Families, friends, and
the African American
other relatives or social
population. Pictures that
support should be
represent African
incorporated with health
Americans are important in
education and prevention.
education materials
because it will help with
Communication centered
relevance.
on family and social
themes often appeal to
Media such as radio should
African Americans
be considered among
because they value family
health educators when
and entertaining.
reaching an A.A. audience
due to faithful following of
media that is specific to
them.

re
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, June 26). Audience Insights: African Americans. Retrieved March 9, 2016, from
http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/pdf/audience/audienceinsight-african-americans.pdf
Eiser, A. R., & Ellis, G. (2007). Viewpoint: Cultural Competence and the African American Experience with Health Care: The Case for Specific Content in Cross-Cultural
Education. Academic Medicine, 82(2), 176-183.
McNeil, J., Campinha-Bacote, J., Tapscott, E., & Vample, G. C. (n.d.). Be safe: A cultural competency model for African Americans.
Welch, M. (2003). Cross-Cultural Medicine. David Myers.