By Reginia Dodson, Intern and UAB Community Health and Human Services Student

Strokes are a significant health concern in the African American community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans have a higher risk of stroke than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. This increased risk is due to various factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, all of which are more prevalent in the African American community (“Stroke facts,” 2022).

Studies have shown that African Americans are more likely to have strokes at younger ages than other populations, with an average age of 64 years old compared to 71 years old for Caucasians (Howard et al., 2013). The prevalence of strokes in the African American community highlights the need for effective solutions to address this issue.

One solution is to increase awareness and education about stroke prevention and treatment in the African American community. This can be done through community outreach programs, educational materials, and public awareness campaigns. Increasing knowledge about the risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes, can help individuals take steps to reduce their risk of stroke.

Additionally, it is essential to provide access to healthcare services, including screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes, which are significant contributors to stroke risk. Access to healthcare services can be increased by investing in community health centers, which provide primary healthcare services to underserved populations. Community health centers are particularly important in the African American community, where there are often significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes (Schneider & Epstein, 2002). Investing in community health centers and increasing health insurance coverage can also help ensure that all individuals have access to the necessary healthcare services to prevent and manage stroke.

Increasing awareness and education about stroke prevention and treatment, and improving access to healthcare services, can help reduce the incidence of strokes in the African American community. We must work together to ensure that all individuals have access to the necessary resources and support to prevent and manage strokes.

References

Howard, G., Cushman, M., Kissela, B. M., Kleindorfer, D. O., McClure, L. A., Safford, M. M., … & Moy, C. S. (2013). Traditional risk factors as the underlying cause of racial disparities in stroke: lessons from the half-full (empty?) glass. Stroke, 44(2_suppl_1), S123-S125.

Schneider, E. C., Zaslavsky, A. M., & Epstein, A. M. (2002). Racial disparities in the quality of care for enrollees in Medicare managed care. Jama, 287(10), 1288-1294.

Stroke facts. (2022, October 14). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm