Startling Facts Affecting African Americans May Create Epidemics in Our Community
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Nation/World
These are some of the startling facts about epidemics facing the Black community. It is already sad enough that nothing is being done about these issues, but what is an even greater tragedy is that the numbers remain the same or increase.
- African Americans account for half of the new HIV infections in the U.S. even though they only make up about 13 percent of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
- More than three times as many blacks live in prison cells than in college dorms, according to a US Census study in late 2007. Twice as many whites live in college dorms than in prison.
- Blacks have the largest number of poor people than any other race in America, according to the US Census in 2007. About 24.3% of blacks are poor in comparison to 20.6% of Hispanics, 10.3% of Asians, and 8.2% of whites.
- In 2005 blacks represented 13% of the U.S. population but accounted for nearly half of its murder victims, according to a report by the Justice Department. Over 93% were killed by other black people.
- Although black women have a 9% lower cancer rate than their white peers, black women have an 18% higher death rate for all forms of cancer. Black men have a 15% higher rate of cancer and a 38% higher death rate than white men, the American Cancer Society reports. Experts blame lack of cancer education programs, poor nutrition, inactivity, poverty, and obesity.
- In 2005 a record 37 percent of all U.S. births were to unmarried women and nearly 70 percent of those women were black, according to the CDC.
- African Americans account for half of the new HIV infections in the U.S. even though they only make up about 13 percent of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
- More than three times as many blacks live in prison cells than in college dorms, according to a US Census study in late 2007. Twice as many whites live in college dorms than in prison.
- Blacks have the largest number of poor people than any other race in America, according to the US Census in 2007. About 24.3% of blacks are poor in comparison to 20.6% of Hispanics, 10.3% of Asians, and 8.2% of whites.
- In 2005 blacks represented 13% of the U.S. population but accounted for nearly half of its murder victims, according to a report by the Justice Department. Over 93% were killed by other black people.
- Although black women have a 9% lower cancer rate than their white peers, black women have an 18% higher death rate for all forms of cancer. Black men have a 15% higher rate of cancer and a 38% higher death rate than white men, the American Cancer Society reports. Experts blame lack of cancer education programs, poor nutrition, inactivity, poverty, and obesity.
- In 2005 a record 37 percent of all U.S. births were to unmarried women and nearly 70 percent of those women were black, according to the CDC.
