African American

Culture

Sarah Bader, Cambrie Campbell, Allison Giambattista, James Humphrey, Averi

McCarthy, and Audra Picuri
Overview of African Americans

● In July, 2017, 41.1 million people in the US were African Americans, which
makes up 12.7% of the total population.
● African Americans are the 2nd largest minority population in the US.
● In 2017, most lived in the South, 58%.
● The 10 states with the largest African American population are: Texas,
Georgia, Florida, New York, North Carolina, California, Illinois, New Jersey,
Virginia, and Louisiana.
● African Americans are known for having high blood pressure, diabetes, and
being obese.
Map Of States With Largest Population
Workforce Issues in USA
As of 2018:

“African American workers had the highest

unemployment rate nationally, at 6.5 percent”

Where is the highest highest unemployment rate

for African Americans in the USA?

1. District of Columbia
2. Pennsylvania
3. Illinois

https://www.epi.org/publication/valerie-figures-state-unemployment-by-race/
Workforce Issues in Youngstown, Ohio

As of 2017:

● 48.3% of African Americans were living below the poverty line (that equates to
~12,000 people)
● Poverty line for a household of 4 in the USA is $25,750
● Of Trumbull County, Mahoning County, Warren, and Niles, Youngstown had the lowest
median income of about $26,295.

https://datausa.io/profile/geo/youngstown-oh/#about
Workforce Issues
Labor force share
“Although Blacks’ labor force
growth rate is not as rapid as
in past decades, their share
of the labor force has
increased: from 9.9 percent
in 1976 to 12.3 percent in
2016. This increase is
expected to continue,
reaching a projected 12.7
percent by 2026.”

https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/article/blacks-in-the-labor-force.htm?view_full
Workforce Issues Affecting Patients
If your patient is low income:
❏ May feel they are left to make “tough choices between their health and the financial well-being of their
family”
❏ Patients may be more focused on the financial aspect of things rather than proper care, medications,
procedures, ect.

Furthermore:
❏ Do not assume that all African Americans are low income due to the statistic we shared
❏ “African Americans given the historical legacy of mistreatment at the hands of the medical profession”
often distinguish “distrust in physicians” therefore establishing trust and making your patient feel
comfortable is vital

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1924632/

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2017/listening-low-income-patients-obstacles-care-we-need-when-we-need-it
Common Health Issues
● Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all Americans along with strokes.
○ African Americans are prone to developing these diseases.
○ 48% of African American women and 44% of African men develop heart disease

when compared to Caucasian men at 37% and Caucasian women at 32%

○ The yearly rate of first strokes and first heart attacks is higher for African

Americans than Caucasian Americans.

● High blood pressure, obesity and diabetes are the most common factors increasing the risk
of heart disease and stroke among African Americans.
High Blood Pressure
● African-Americans are known to have the highest blood pressure in the world.
○ The percentage of African Americans who have high blood pressure by their 50’s is
75%
● African Americans develop high BP at an earlier stage in life and their BP average is much
higher when compared with Caucasians. 55% of Caucasian males and 40% of Caucasian
women have high BP.
● High BP increases the likelihood of African Americans having a stroke, death from heart
disease and end-stage kidney failure
● Healthcare providers can help by giving out the blood pressure medication, promoting
exercise, stress decreasing activities and healthy lifestyle and nutritional changes.
Obesity
● Obesity is a very well known cause of heart disease and stroke
○ It leads to many risks of developing many health problems like hypertension,
hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
○ All of these can cause heart disease
● Of the African American ethnicity, 69% of men and 80% of women are overweight
which is less than other ethnicities.
○ 73% of Caucasian men and 60% of Caucasian women are obese.
● Obesity leads to hypertension, where healthcare providers would encourage them to
increase their exercise daily and change their diet by eating healthier foods.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
● African-Americans are more likely to have diabetes when compared to other ethnic groups
○ At the age 20 or older, 12.6% of African Americans, 8.6% of Asians, 11.8% of Hispanics and
7.1% of Caucasians have Diabetes Mellitus.
● Epidemiologic studies say genetics are to be a strong factor of diabetes. But, no specific antigen type
has been identified
● Adults were more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 40 and older. Now,
children are starting to show more signs of type 2 diabetes.
○ These children are typically overweight, DM in family history and identify as African American,
Caucasian , American Indian, Hispanic or Asian.
● Diabetes is a very treatable disease and can be prevented with increased exercise and a heart healthy
diet
Nutrition
● African Americans tend to eat food that are less nutritious
○ Foods high in starch, sugar, fat, and sodium
● A 2018 study found that 88% of African Americans ate no dark green leafy vegetables and 94%
ate no yellow vegetables
○ Studies have found less than 1/4th of caucasian adults consume the recommended 5+
servings of fruits and vegetables a day, while African Americans consume even less
● The same study found that the average African Americans calories breakdown was:
○ 35% from fat and 12% from saturated fat
○ The recommended is 30% from fat and less than 10% from saturated fat
Nutrition
● Some believed that women who eat more vegetables have a lower risk of breast cancer
● Others believed that eating “healthy foods” such as fruits, vegetables, and less fatty foods will cause
them to give up/ kill their culture
● By their 50’s, 75% of African American men and women will develop high blood while only 55% of
Caucasian men and 40% of Caucasian women
○ Most likely due to the southern diet
○ This puts them at risk for other health related issues, such as hypertension
● Living in a food desert may result in being unable to afford and obtain healthy options, so they tend to
eat unhealthy, “soul food” and “southern food” diets
Southern Diet

● African Americans are more likely to eat in this way than Caucasian
● African Americans life expectancy is about 3.5-4 years less than Caucasian
because of this lifestyle
● Foods are high in sodium, sugar and fat
○ fried foods
○ organ foods
○ sugary drinks
○ bread
 Soul Foods
● Originated from slaves that brought food home to families to make meals.
○ Became dishes past down from generation to generation
● Foods traditionally eaten by Southeastern African Americans
○ Corn bread
○ Collared greens
○ Sweet potato pie
○ Rich gravies
● While these foods worked in the early years, it is now found that these foods are the leading cause of
many African American health related problems
● These foods tend to increase the risk of
○ Obesity, at about 33.9%
○ Heart disease, at about 46%
○ Hypertension, at about 40.1%
Exercise
● Many live sedentary lifestyles, especially teenagers
● 40% of African American women do not exercise due to the upkeep of their
hair.
○ Hard to maintain their sleek straight hair or curly coiled hair
● A 2017 study found that exercise reduces the risk of hypertension 24%
○ Which is one of the most common health issues among African
Americans
● Explain to patients the importance of exercise with their diet style
Health Care Practices
● Elders are respected and often provide care for their grandchildren.
● Many elders are not placed into institutions, and their sons and daughter
usually take care of them as they age.
● Older generations are suspicious or skeptical of HCPs because of past
experiences.
● African Americans may be reluctant to give all of the information you need
about personal or family related issues.
● Many African Americans will wait until their health problem has turned into a
crisis or emergency to seek professional care because of their beliefs of the
healthcare system.
Top Ten
1. African American patients may not trust hospitals, typically the elderly
2. African American elders often provide care for their grandchildren before taking them to see a health care provider
3. African American culture has a tradition of using herbal remedies
4. African Americans usually wait to seek out professional health care until their problem becomes an emergency
5. Food choices African Americans may be a reminder of their ancestors
6. It is important to explain to patients how their dietary habits put them at high risk for health issues
7. African Americans are more likely to have diabetes, develop high blood pressure at a younger age, and / or die of heart disease
or stroke compared to all other minorities combined
8. 48.3% of African Americans were living below the poverty line in Youngstown, Ohio as of 2017
9. African Americans have the highest unemployment percentage but that statistic is projected to decrease by 2026
10. African Americans express their pain in many different ways, they can be expressive or stoic
References:

http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlid=61
 References
African American Heart Disease and Stroke Fact Sheet|Data & Statistics|DHDSP. (2014, July 22). Retrieved November 29, 2019, from
https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_aa.htm.
African Americans and Heart Disease, Stroke. (2015, July 31). Retrieved November 30, 2019, from
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/african-americans-and-heart-disease-stroke.
Bailey, R. K. (2019). Working with African American/Black Patients. Retrieved December 3, 2019, from
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/best-practice-highlights/best-practice-highlights-for-working-with-afri
can-american-patients.
Cardiosmart, (2017, February 14)Exercise Wards Off High Blood Pressure in African-Americans. Retrieved from
https://www.cardiosmart.org/News-and-Events/2017/02/Exercise-Wards-Off-High-Blood-Pressure-in-African-Americans.
Carteret, M. (2011). Health Care for African American Patients/Families. Retrieved December 3, 2019, from
https://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2011/05/health-care-for-african-american-patientsfamilies/.
Jacobs, E., Rolle, I., Ferrans, C., Whitaker, E., & Warnecke, R. (June 21, 2006). Understanding African Americans’ Views of the Trustworthiness of
Physicians. US National Library of Medicine Institutes of Health. Retrived from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1924632/
Jarvis, C. (2016). Physical examination & health assessment /: 7th edition. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Keyes, B. J. (2019, June 3). Slave Food: The Impact of Unhealthy Eating Habits on the Black Community. Retrieved from
https://www.ebony.com/life/black-health-food-diet/.
Lee, L. (2018, February 10). Nutrition and the African-American diet. Retrieved from
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2017/listening-low-income-patients-obstacles-care-we-need-when-we-need-it
 References
Lewis, C., Abrams, M., & Shanoor, S. (December 1, 2017). Listening to Low-Income Patients: Obstacles to the Care We Need, When We Need It. The
Commonwealth Fund.
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2017/listening-low-income-patients-obstacles-care-we-need-when-we-need-it
Norton, A. (2018, October 2). 'Southern' diet blamed for black Americans' health woes. Retrieved from
https://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2018-10-southern-diet-blamed-black-americans.html.
Rolen, E., & Toosi, M. (February 2018). Blacks in the labor force. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/article/blacks-in-the-labor-force.htm
Wilson, V. (April 4, 2019). Black unemployment is at least twice as high as white unemployment at the national level and in 14 states and the District of
Columbia. Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/publication/valerie-figures-state-unemployment-by-race/
Youngstown, Ohio. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://datausa.io/profile/geo/youngstown-oh/