MEN’S HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Invisible, But Deadly: Black Men’s Silent Health Epidemic
New studies suggest Black men face the highest health risks of any racial demographic.
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My boyfriend recently disclosed to me that perhaps the hardest thing for Black men to admit is when they are “not okay.” I suddenly realized, without asking why, that like Black women, our men also face cultural pressures to be strong and Black, too; — a racial myth that can be psychologically and physically taxing on our health. Where Black women may become a target under the stereotype, Black men can become dehumanized and even invisible.
There are approximately over 21 million Black men in America. And in more ways than one, they all face visible and invisible health challenges that negatively impact their life expectancy. In fact, recent studies indicate that Black men have the lowest life expectancy and the highest death rate from diverse causes compared to all other counterparts.
The social, financial, and racial inequities Black men face seem endless and further complicate the relationship between equity and healthcare. The state of Black men in America highlights a greater need to be addressed and nationally recognized as a worldwide health crisis. Because not only does America largely ignore the overall plight of Black male health, but most Black men suffer the worst health outcomes.
To put it into contemporary terms: The Black male health epidemic is silent — but deadly.
From racial discrimination to high rates of incarceration, lack of affordable health services, homicides, and health conditions such as heart disease and HIV, Black men face several barriers that continuously contribute to disproportionate health outcomes.
Persistent inequities in Black male healthcare found:
- Some leading causes of death include heart disease, cancer, stroke, homicides, and suicides.
- Only 25% of Black men seek mental health treatment compared to 40% of their white male counterparts.
- Over 37% of Black men are considered overweight or obese.
- 40% of Black men die prematurely from heart disease…
