Improving African-American Children’s Access to Preventive Health Care
The Council’s first research initiative in 2002 looked at preventive healthcare for African-American children. Despite continued improvement in the overall health of the nation, blacks still experience higher rates of disease, morbidity and mortality in comparison to other racial/ethnic groups. While racial health gaps exist for adults, the disparities between black and white children are particularly striking.
Our research identified the geographical, financial, informational and cultural barriers to preventive healthcare access for black children, prenatal through age five, in 12 communities across the U.S. The research focused on several preventive health measures: prenatal care for pregnant mothers, STD and HIV screening and treatment for pregnant mothers, low birth weight detection and screening, breastfeeding, immunizations, lead screening, asthma screening and treatment, sickle cell anemia screening and treatment, well baby/well child/primary care visits and dental visits.
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Health of Black Children |
Fact: Black children are twice as
likely to have asthma and six times
as likely to die from it than white
children.
Fact: The number of black children
with AIDS exceeds the number of
white children by a factor of three.
Fact: African-American children are at greater risk of lead poisoning than their white counterparts.
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