The California Black Health Network is charged with reducing health disparities, increasing health equity and improving the health and wellness of African Americans. Here are some facts leading our charge and need for action:
DIABETES, HYPERTENSION & HEART DISEASE
African Americans have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease than other groups. Nearly 15 percent of African Americans have diabetes compared with 8 percent of whites.
ASTHMA PREVALENCE IS HIGHEST AMONG BLACKS
Asthma prevalence is highest among blacks. Black children have a 260 percent higher emergency department visit rate, a 250 percent higher hospitalization rate, and a 500 percent higher death rate from asthma compared to white children.
ADULT OBESITY RATES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS
Adult obesity rates for African Americans are higher than those for whites in nearly every state of the nation—37 percent of men and nearly 50 percent of women are obese.
POOR HEALTH AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS
Thirteen percent of African Americans of all ages report they are in fair or poor health.
Higher incidence and mortality rates from many cancers
African Americans experience higher incidence and mortality rates from many cancers that are amenable to early diagnosis and treatment. African-American adults with cancer are woefully underrepresented in cancer trials and are much less likely to survive prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer than their white counterparts.
Source: Center for American Progress
Our Mission
The California Black Health Network advocates for health equity by leading and facilitating convenings in all regions of California for the purpose of providing policy analysis, research and training that promotes best practices, which supports the creation of optimal conditions needed to sustain healthy Black people.
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