The True Silent Killer: Hypertension in the African American Community Part I

From 1996 to 2006 the death rate from high blood pressure increased 19.5 percent, and the actual number of deaths rose 48.1 percent. About 74.5 million people in the United States age 20 and older have high blood pressure. One in three adults has high blood pressure. Non-Hispanic blacks are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure than are non-Hispanic whites. Within the African-American community, those with the highest rates of hypertension, are more likely to be middle aged or older, less educated, overweight or obese, physically inactive, and to have diabetes. In 2006 the death rates per 100,000 population from high blood pressure were 15.6 for white males, 51.1 for black males, 14.3 for white females and 37.7 for black females. We will interview medical professionals to discuss this alarming facts and introduce WFC's new initiative to educate the faith based community on how to overcome or manage HBP.