Health differentials between blacks and whites: recent trends in mortality and morbidity

Abstract

Black Americans continue to have large numbers of premature and excess deaths, measured against white experience, from seven major causes. Major differences in chronic disease, disability and case fatality rates persist despite similarities in the amount of health care received; the nature and quality of care is likely to be dissimilar. Epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests various strategies to reduce these differentials through well-designed public health efforts at prevention. These will have to deal with harsh realities of sociocultural, economic, and political contexts.