While few improvements have occurred in the overall health status of African Americans, the scientific body of health data shows that blacks continue to lack parity (or are even close to parity) with their white counterparts. As the U.S. celebrates its status as a global super power in the new millennium, rigorous action must be directed to these health disparities if America is to be heralded as a genuine world leader. The elimination of these disparities will require a composite of strategies including enhanced efforts at preventing disease, promoting overall health, and delivering appropriate care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has drawn attention to areas in which racial and ethnic minorities experience serious disparities in health care access and outcomes. Selected areas for presentation herein include: mental health, environmental justice, violence, smoking, HIV/AIDS and the need for more responsive public health policy. It is well known that a number of factors impact one's health status including those of income, occupation, education, environment, and access to services. It has been further established that an additional factor, race, also has an impact. Both practitioners and scientists argue that the disparities between black and white health is a function of the overrepresentation in lower socioeconomic groups. However, when many of these variables, including income, are held constant, there still surfaces a difference between black and white health status.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Identify selected indicators in which health disparities exist between African Americans and other populations in the U.S. 2. Describe differentials in morbidity and mortality outcomes for the selected health topics discussed. 3. List strategies for intervening with health needs in African American communities on the selected topics presented.
Keywords: Health Indices, Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.