Introduction
The African American population in the United States has a long and complicated history, deeply rooted in slavery and discrimination. For centuries, African Americans were denied basic rights and freedoms, which has profoundly impacted their health and well-being. Today, there is a significant disparity between the health of African Americans and the health of other groups in the United States. African Americans are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. They are also more likely to die from preventable causes such as homicide and AIDS (Diller, 2018). This paper discusses the history of oppression and discrimination faced by African Americans, as well as the health disparities that exist between African Americans and other groups in the United States.
History of Oppression and Discrimination of African America
The history of oppression and discrimination of African Americans is long and complicated. African Americans have been subjected to slavery, Jim Crow laws, mass incarceration, and police brutality, among other forms of discrimination. The first Africans to be brought to the Americas were brought to the Spanish colony of Santo Domingo in the 15th century. These Africans were brought against their will and were forced to work in the plantations (Williams-Washington & Mills 2018). In the 16th century, the first Africans were brought to the English colonies in North America. These Africans were also brought against their will and were forced to work in the plantations.
The English colonies were less tolerant of racial differences than the Spanish ones. The English colonies had laws designed to separate blacks and whites. These laws were called the slave codes. The slave codes were designed to keep blacks in a state of slavery. The American Revolution was a turning point for African Americans. After the American Revolution, many of the former colonies became states. These states began to pass laws that abolished slavery. In 1787, the US Constitution was ratified (Williams-Washington & Mills 2018). The US Constitution included the Fugitive Slave Clause, which allowed for the return of runaway slaves to their owners.
In the 19th century, African Americans struggled to find their place in American society. African Americans were not treated as equal to whites. They were subjected to Jim Crow laws, which were laws that kept blacks and whites separate. African Americans were also discriminated against in the workforce. They were paid less than whites for the same work. In the 20th century, African Americans made great strides. The Civil Rights Movement led to the end of Jim Crow laws. African Americans were also able to gain equality in the workforce. However, African Americans still faced discrimination. They were often the victims of police brutality. They were also disproportionately incarcerated. The 21st century has seen some progress for African Americans. The election of Barack Obama, the first African American president, was a milestone. However, African Americans still face discrimination (Williams-Washington & Mills 2018). They are still the victims of police brutality. They are also still disproportionately incarcerated.
Health Disparity between African Americans and other Groups in the United States
There is a significant disparity between African Americans’ health and other groups’ health in the United States. African Americans have higher mortality and morbidity rates for various chronic conditions, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS (Assari, 2018). This disparity is due to various factors, including socioeconomic factors, access to healthcare, and health behaviors. Socioeconomic factors play a significant role in health disparities. African Americans are more likely to live in poverty than other groups, and poverty is associated with poor health. African Americans also have lower levels of education and employment, which are also associated with poor health. (Assari, 2018) African Americans are more likely to live in poverty than any other racial group in the United States, and poverty leads to many problems that make it difficult to access quality healthcare. For example, lack of transportation made it difficult to get to doctor’s appointments or to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions.
In addition, lack of insurance made it difficult to afford to see a doctor or to pay for prescriptions. Health behaviors also play a role in health disparities. African Americans are more likely to engage in risky behaviours, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, which can lead to health problems (Assari, 2018). African Americans are also more likely to have poor diets and be obese, which can lead to health problems.
African Americans experience racism in several ways, including housing, education, and employment discrimination. Additionally, they are more likely to be stopped and searched by the police and are more likely to be incarcerated. These factors can lead to increased stress levels, which can harm health. Discrimination in housing can lead to increased stress levels for African Americans. Studies have shown that African Americans are more likely to be denied a mortgage than whites, even when controlling for income and credit score, leading to feelings of frustration and powerlessness (Assari, 2018). In addition, African Americans are more likely to live in segregated neighbourhoods with fewer resources than whites, resulting in increased stress levels and a sense of isolation
African Americans also face discrimination in education. They are more likely to be taught by inexperienced teachers. They are more likely to attend underfunded schools with insufficient resources, leading to increased stress levels and a feeling of being devalued. African Americans are also more likely to be suspended or expelled from school than whites, even when controlling for behavior (Assari, 2018). African Americans also experience discrimination in employment. They are more likely to be unemployed than whites, and when employed, they are more likely to be in lower-paying jobs. In addition, African Americans are more likely to experience workplace discrimination, such as being passed over for promotions or given less favorable assignments.
African Americans are also more likely to be stopped and searched by the police and are more likely to be incarcerated, leading to increased stress levels and a feeling of being devalued. African Americans are also more likely to be sentenced to death than whites; even when controlling for the severity of the crime hence they feel frustrated and powerless (Assari, 2018).Stress can lead to several health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. In addition, stress can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight, lead to sleep problems, and weaken the immune system. Chronic stress can also lead to anxiety and depression.
Exposure to environmental toxins is another factor that contributes to health disparities between African Americans and other groups in the United States. African Americans are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality and environmental toxins (Assari, 2018). One example is lead poisoning. African Americans are more likely to live in older housing that may contain lead paint, and they are also more likely to live in areas with high levels of industrial pollution. African Americans are also more likely to work in jobs that expose them to hazardous materials, such as lead or asbestos. They are also more likely to live near hazardous waste sites, which can lead to exposure to various toxins. This exposure to lead can lead to several health problems, including learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and even death.
Evidence-Based Interventions that Can Help Improve African Americans’ Health
African Americans have long faced disparities in health and healthcare. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on evidence-based interventions that can help improve African Americans’ health. These include improving access to healthcare, increasing the availability of healthy food options, and providing education on chronic disease prevention (Ferdinand & Ferdinand, 2020).Improving access to healthcare is a critical step in improving the health of African Americans. African Americans are more likely to be uninsured than other groups, and this lack of insurance can lead to delays in care and poorer health outcomes. Increasing access to healthcare can help to reduce these disparities. One way to increase access to healthcare is to expand Medicaid coverage. Medicaid is a government-sponsored health insurance program that provides coverage for low-income individuals and families. Expanding Medicaid coverage can help ensure African Americans access the necessary care.
Increasing the availability of healthy food options is another important intervention for improving the health of African Americans. African Americans are more likely to live in “food deserts,” areas where healthy food options are limited or nonexistent. This lack of access to healthy food can lead to diet-related health problems such as obesity and diabetes. Increasing the availability of healthy food options can help improve African Americans’ overall health. One way to increase the availability of healthy food options is to support initiatives that increase the number of grocery stores in food deserts. Another way to increase the availability of healthy food options is to provide incentives for grocery stores to locate in food deserts.
Providing education on chronic disease prevention is another key intervention for improving the health of African Americans. African Americans are at greater risk for developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes; hence, this education may help reduce the incidence of these diseases. One way to educate chronic disease prevention is to offer community health education programs. These programs can provide African Americans with information on healthy eating, physical activity, and managing chronic conditions. Another way to educate chronic disease prevention is to offer screenings for chronic diseases. Screenings can help identify individuals at risk for developing a chronic disease. Early detection and treatment can help to improve health outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have chosen the African American group because of the history of oppression and discrimination and the ongoing challenges they face today. Healthcare and health inequities for African Americans have existed for a long time. African Americans’ health has recently received more attention, thanks to evidence-based approaches. These include expanding healthy dietary options, enhancing access to healthcare, and disseminating information on chronic illness prevention. One of the most important steps in improving African Americans’ health is expanding access to healthcare. African Americans are more likely than other groups to lack health insurance, resulting in delays in receiving care and worse health outcomes. Access to healthcare can be expanded, aiding in lowering these inequalities. Increasing the selection of nutritious food options is a crucial intervention for improving the health of African Americans.
References
Assari, S. (2018). Health Disparities due to Diminished Return among Black Americans: Public Policy Solutions. Social Issues and Policy Review, 12(1), 112-145.
Diller, J. V. (2018). Cultural diversity: A primer for the human services. Cengage Learning.
Ferdinand, D., Nedunchezhian, S., & Ferdinand, K. (2020). Hypertension in African Americans: Advances in community outreach and public health approaches. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 63(1), 40-45.
Williams-Washington, K., & Mills, C. (2018). African American Historical Trauma: Creating an Inclusive Measure. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 46(4), 246-263.