Running head: BLACKS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

Blacks in Northern Michigan: A Vulnerable Population

Kelsey Dysinger
Ferris State University

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Blacks in Northern Michigan: A Vulnerable population

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vulnerable
population is defined by race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, geography, gender, age,
disability status, risk status related to sex and gender, and among other populations identified as
at-risk for health disparities (2014, para 1). Many of these factors cause vulnerability
especially when they are the minority. Gender and race is not always a vulnerable population
depending on the location, but if that particular gender or race is the minority of that population,
it could make them vulnerable. For example, a black person in the suburbs of Detroit is not at the
same risk level for harassment or being treated different as they would be in the rural city of
Clare. The different populations cause feelings of misplacement that can lead to depression and
other health issues. Therefore, black people in northern rural areas are a vulnerable population in
Michigan.
Being the minority is not the only factor that causes blacks to be a vulnerable population.
Culture and genetics lead to health risks including diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Having the
majority of their population in a high density area puts them at risk for violence and increased
spread of infections. A lot of stereotypes and bias surrounds the black community.
Growing up in the small city of Clare myself, I had one black classmate. I cannot think of
any other kids of his race from any other grade that I went to school with. He was definitely the
minority. Several families in the area would make smug comments whenever they seen a black
person. These racial comments made me feel very sad and left me wishing people would not treat
him differently. While this person did not fit the typical stereotypes of being fast and good at
sports, I was well aware of the bias surrounding him. In healthcare, I know that Blacks are at a
higher risk for certain diseases and have always thought it was due to genetics and cultural

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aspects. As for determinants of health, I am guilty thinking that Detroit is a poor area and that
many blacks therefor lack higher education and have decreased health due to the area in which
they live.
Looking into the demographics, I found it true that Blacks are a minority of the
population around me. In 2013, 80.1 percent of the population in Michigan were white and only
14.3 percent were black or African American. However, 82.7 percent of the population of
Detroit, Michigan was Black or African American and only 10.6 percent were white. While in
Midland, approximately a half hour from Clare, only 2 percent of the population was black and
92 percent was white (United States Census Bureau, 2014). HealhyPeople.gov (2014) found that
In 2008, approximately 33 percent, or more than 100 million persons, identified themselves as
belonging to a racial or ethnic minority population (para 3). While many might not have bad
feelings about being the minority, there are also many that could develop health issues due to
feeling alone and singled out.
The demographics hold true regarding the ratio of blacks to whites in northern vs
southern Michigan, but there is definite bias against the cause of increased health risk factors.
The American Healthcare Reform (2013) states Some Americans experience obesity due to
cultural factors. For some African Americans, their choices of food lead to a rise in obesity and
this is because they often consume meals that are high in sodium, fat, sugar and calories (para,
2). In another article, the American Healthcare Reform (2013) states one of the best ways to
reduce infant mortality rates in the African American community is to increase availability of
affordable health insurance to African American women, particularly those who work in low
income professions (para 2). The assumptions that risk factors are increased for blacks only due
to their culture and that they are not able to afford health insurance is bias.

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After reading about the bias articles against blacks and looking into the demographics, I
found that I need to research more about why blacks are at a higher risk for developing certain
diseases, although I think more research needs to be done in this area. In healthcare, I think it is
so important to keep an open mind. I can see how the bias and stereotypes could affect care for
the worst or even the better in any setting. Either way, they deserve to be treated the same as
everyone else. I think one of the best ways to do that is to think objectively and ask yourself if
you think that because they are blackor because of their signs and symptoms. This knowledge
of bias could improve the public by being able to inform them of the truth, of evidence, and of
what we can do to make changes in the healthcare systems.

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References
American Healthcare Reform. (2013) American culture and how it increases levels of obesity.
Retrieved from http://www.americanhealthcarereform.org/
American Healthcare Reform. (2013). Health insurance costs higher for women than men.
Retrieved from http://www.americanhealthcarereform.org/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Social determinants of health. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/Definitions.html
HealthyPeople.gov. (2014). Disparities. Retrieved from
http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/DisparitiesAbout.aspx
United States Census Bureau. (2014). State & county quickfacts. Retrieved from
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26000.html