These are the three top health issues for African Americans.
1. Heart disease & hypertension – African Americans have the highest rates of high blood pressure in the world, often developing it earlier in life and with greater severity. Uncontrolled hypertension puts them at much higher risk for heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure, making cardiovascular disease the #1 killer in the community ¹ ² ³.
2. Diabetes – Black adults are about twice as likely as white adults to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The disease also tends to cause more severe complications, such as kidney failure and lower‑limb amputations, contributing to the overall health gap ⁴ ⁵ ³.
3. Cancer – Overall cancer mortality is higher for African Americans, with notable disparities in prostate, breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. Later‑stage diagnoses and gaps in screening and care drive the elevated death rates ⁴ ⁵ ².
How do they affect you?