As a recent family nurse practitioner graduate and nurse with 12 years of experience, I have seen the devastation of chronic disease in the African American and Black community. According to a recent article by Pfizer, African Americans are at higher risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, asthma, cancer, and stroke when compared to Caucasians. The same article revealed that younger African Americans are now affected by chronic diseases that are typically seen in other races at an older age. The CDC Vital Signs Factsheet noted that African Americans between ages 18-49 are two times more likely to die from heart disease and 50% between ages 35-64 are more likely to have high blood pressure than their Caucasian counterparts. Higher rates were also seen throughout adulthood with diabetes, stroke, and kidney disease. Pfizer’s research noted that mental health disparities were more evident in this community than others as well. These numbers and facts are devastating because, in 2020, around 12.4 % of the US population identified as African American or Black.

Although the numbers above are representative of the whole community, women specifically are affected with chronic disease at high numbers. An article by the Office of Research on Women’s Health at the National Institute of Health revealed that heart disease, stroke and cancer are ranked as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd leading cause of death in this group. In addition, diabetes affects one in four women aged fifty- five and in 2010 65% of new HIV infections were found in African American or Black women. Women in our community are more prone to obesity which increases the risk for development of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attack, and diabetes. Black women are more prone to stress for various factors including race, gender, and family dynamics. This increased stress can lead to high blood pressure or heart attacks. It is important for women to be aware of how their lifestyle may affect the development of chronic disease.  In addition to lifestyle as one root cause of chronic disease; another explanation of these findings may be a result of undetected or later detection of health conditions, which may lead to shorter life expectancy.

In our current healthcare model, the focus tends to be on medications, but it is very important to understand how our lifestyle contributes to our health and wellness. Lifestyle recommendations are given prior to medication at times, but often these recommendations may not take into consideration many social factors that contribute to chronic disease development. According to the CDC Vital Signs Factsheet, social factors like unemployment, poverty, and medical cost can affect chronic disease prevention. Although some of the external, societal factors may be out of our control, we have more autonomy than we recognize to make healthier lifestyle choices.

As Black women, it is important to prioritize our health. We are taught from an early age to prioritize the needs of others before our own, but this can be detrimental, physically and mentally, if there is no balance in our lives. Lack of balance may lead to increased stress and burn out which can lead to chronic disease. Our lifestyle is the first defense we have against chronic disease. The good news is that we can start at any age and anytime to make healthier lifestyle decisions. A recent article from Cleveland Clinic  showed that 80 % of chronic disease are a result of lifestyle factors and discussed five changes that can help prevent chronic disease. Below is a brief discussion of each: