Statistics About Black Americans - Health

2001 life expectancy: Women: 75.5 years (vs. 65.9 in 1960). Men: 68.6 years (vs. 60.7 in 1960)

80.5% have health insurance, as of 2007 (national rate: 84.7%). 19.5% are uninsured (national rate: 15.3%), a decline from 20.5% in 2006. Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Infant mortality rate: 14.3 per 1,000 people

Number one killer: cardiovascular disease. Accounts for 33.5% of male deaths, 40.6% of female deaths (2000)

Top 10 killers (as of 2005): 1. cardiovascular disease 2. cancer 3. stroke 4. unintentional injuries 5. diabetes 6. homicide 7. chronic lower respiratory disease 8. nephritis (kidney disease) 9. HIV/AIDS 10. septicemia (blood poisoning). Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Overweight percentage (adults): Men 60.7%, women 77.3%

Percentage with no regular physical activity (adults): Men 44.1%, women 55.2%

USA share of abortions: 30%

Alcoholism rate: 3.57% in 2002 (down from 3.84 in 1992)

Alcohol abuse rate: 3.29% in 2002 (up from 1.46% in 1992)

HIV/AIDS rate: 2%. AIDS is leading cause of death for ages 25-44. USA share of new cases: 49% for males, 72% for females

USA's top health problem: 41% say AIDS, 41% cancer, 14% heart disease, 8% uninsured people, 7% diabetes

World's top health problem: 49% say AIDS, 41% cancer, 14% heart disease, 8% health costs, 3% diabetes

Sources: National Institutes of Health, 2000 Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 2003 BAMPAC poll, American Lung Association, American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism