According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2015) high blood pressure is more prevalent among the African Americans compared to other races. In 2015, the CDC report indicated that 43% and 45.7% of African American adult male and female population suffered from hypertension. This is high compared to the national average prevalence at 34.1% among the adult men and 32.7% in women.
It is not very clear about why hypertension is so prevalent among the African Americans, especially the population above 30. Genetic and socioeconomic factors are cited as the primary contributing factors. Researchers have found that the African Americans might have a gene that makes them very sensitive to salt (Palar & Sturm, 2009). As a result, any small increment in salt intake raises the blood pressure. However, Mozzafarian (2015) argues that the socioeconomic factors and the risky social and behavioral factors explain the high prevalent of hypertension among the African American population. Poverty is highest among the African Americans compared to other races. The African Americans have the highest number of high-school dropout rate, high incidences of diabetes, and high unemployment. According to Heidenreich, Trogdon & Khavjou (2011), there is a relationship between education and economic status with health behaviors. Populations in low economic status cannot afford quality health care and sometimes lack the information to foster healthy behaviors (Peters, Aroian & Flack, 2006). The following will be the main research question:
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Is the socioeconomic status the major reason behind the high prevalence of hypertension among the African Americans?
Do social and behavioral risks such as poor eating habits, negative attitudes towards health, and the lack physical exercises also contribute to the prevalence of hypertension among the African Americans?
How does the issue of racial inequality in health affect the accessibility to quality health among the African Americans?
Rationale for Study
The main reason why I have selected the topic is to have a better understanding about the issue of hypertension among the African Americans. There is still information gap on what exactly contributes to the high prevalence of hypertension in African Americans. I want to know whether race, economic status, and genes are the main causes. The information will be vital and can be used by relevant agencies in policymaking to manage hypertension among the African Americans population.
References
Heidenreich, P., Trogdon, J. & Khavjou, O. (2011). Forecasting the future of cardiovascular disease in the United States: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2011; 123:933–44.
Mozzafarian, D. & Benjamin, J. (2015). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2015 . A report from the American Heart Association.
Palar, K. & Sturm, R. (2009). Potential societal savings from reduced sodium consumption in the U.S. adult population. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2009; 24:49–57.
Peters, M., Aroian, J., & Flack, J. (2006). African American culture and hypertension prevention. West Journal of Nursing Research, 2006; 28(7):831–863.
