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Minority Men

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Men of color are less healthy than any other group and more likely to suffer chronic conditions. Some statistics:

• African American and Hispanic American/Latino men are less likely than white men to see a doctor, even when they are in poor health.
• Regardless of insurance status, minority men are less likely to receive timely preventive services and more likely to suffer the consequences of delayed attention, such as limb amputations and radical cancer surgery.
• Despite recent declines in heart disease in the general population, the mortality rate for African American men, aged 35 to 44 years, is almost twice that of white men.
• Even though blacks account for about 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for about half of the people who get HIV/AIDS. The reasons are not directly related to race and ethnicity, but rather to some of the health barriers faced by minority populations.
• American Indians and Alaskan Natives appear to have much higher rates of depression and substance abuse disorders.

Recent studies have shown that despite the steady improvements in the overall health of the United States, minority men have reduced access to care and are more severely affected by the main causes of disease. Education and availability of resources can be a valuable aid to this population. Educating minority men about disease risk factors can allow for better health and prevention practices.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   HIV Infection in Minority Populations - This fact sheet addresses the growing number of reported AIDS cases in minority communities, clinical research that has been done, and current epidemiological research.

   http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/Minor.htm

2.   HIV/AIDS Among African Americans - This publication contains statistical information about the population of African Americans infected with HIV/AIDS in the United States. Also discussed are the interrelated challenges to prevention in African American communities.

   http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/resources/factsheets/aa.htm

3.   Refresh Yourself! Stop Smoking - This booklet offers specific information on how to quit smoking and identifies steps to promote healthy lifestyles among African Americans. Easy-to-follow tips are provided on resisting the urge to smoke and maintaining the will power to accomplish your goals.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack/refresh.htm

4.     The Diabetes Epidemic among African Americans - This information sheet discusses the different types of diabetes, risk factors, and affects of diabetes in African Americans. It also provides advice on how to prevent heart disease, stroke, and other diabetes complications.

   http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/FS_AfricanAm.pdf

5.     Why Do Fruits and Vegetables Matter to Men? - African American men have higher rates of high blood pressure, stroke, and some cancers than white men. Learn about how many fruits and vegetables you need to eat every day for good health. This brochure was designed for African American men.

   http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/downloads/AA_Mens_Brochure.pdf

6.   Young African American Men in the United States (Copyright © KFF) - This publication examines the experiences of young African American men in education, employment, and the criminal justice system. It also compares how they fare in health coverage and health status with that of young men of other racial/ethnic groups.

   http://www.kff.org/minorityhealth/upload/7541.pdf

Organizations

1.   National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH, HHS
2.   Office of Minority and Women's Health, CDC, HHS
3.   Office of Minority Health Resource Center (OMHRC), OMH, OPHS, OS, HHS
4. National Minority AIDS Council

= Indicates Federal Resources