Compared with other groups in the United States, African American men are more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, which increase the risks for early death, stroke, other sickness, and poor quality of life (QOL). African American men are also less likely to engage in health-related behaviors known to reduce or prevent chronic disease. Combined, the high rates of preventable chronic disease and poor morbidity-related QOL translates to African American men having an average lifespan 7 to 9 years less than nearly all segments of the US adult population.
