health problems
Most black boys grow up in neighborhoods with poor or no recreation possibilities. Where there are parks or playing facilities, they are neither maintained, sanitary or safe. Frequently, these neighborhoods host main thoroughfares for surrounding areas, leading to heavy pollution and the risk of children being involved in traffic accidents.
The traditional grocery stores have closed down due to competition with larger vendors outside the area. Left are liquor stores, which in many cases attract loitering and drug activity that controls the areas they operate in. This, combined with poor public transportation, prevents poor black youth from participating in offers available to those living in neighboring areas.
The lack of grocery stores with a diverse selection of food, leads to children not being exposed to healthy diets including fruits, vegetables and seafood. Research strongly indicates that a healthy diet is crucial to health and academic performance.
The condition under which boys learn to survive in these depressed areas does not prepare them for academic success or legally created wealth. When attempting to enter and benefit from what more affluent areas have to offer, black males are often perceived as strangers and criminals As a result they stay in their own zones with little ability to ascend.
Disease |
Black Men |
White Men |
Difference |
Cancer per 100,000 |
634.6 |
543.9 |
1.17 x more likely |
Heart disease per 100,000 |
364.3 |
286.9 |
1.27 x more likely |
Stroke per 100,000 |
81.7 |
54.2 |
1.5 x more likely |
Diabetes deaths per 100,000 |
49.2 |
23.0 |
2 x as likely |
Aids deaths per 100,000 |
62.7 |
12.5 |
5 x as likely |
Life Expectancy (at birth) |
69.0 |
75.3 |
6 years less |
As the statistics above illustrate, black men have significantly larger health problems than males of other ethnic groups. Most of these health issues are preventable with a focus on health, diet and fitness. Many are caused or exacerbated by poverty, income inequality, low educational status and unemployment.
As we see from the description above, residential segregation by race and income is a powerful cause of poor health, concentrating multiple economic and social problems and undermining the quality of housing and services. This includes access to health insurance or timely preventive services, which means that black men are more likely to suffer the consequences of delayed medical attention, such as limb amputations and radical cancer surgery.
M³ works to ensure that boys learn the basics of physical and mental health through a focus on diet, exercise, self-esteem and forward thinking.
Join us to ensure that black boys have a healthy and positive future.
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