Allan S. Noonan|Héctor Eduardo Velasco-Mondragón|Fernando A. Wagner
Improving the health of African Americans in the USA: an overdue opportunity for social justice
United States Public Health Service|Touro University California|Morgan State University
using modified social ecological model conducted review literature nationwide statistics african american health discuss main social determinants health main health disparities risk factors leading causes morbidity mortality access health services blacks usa mechanisms social determinants including racism exert deleterious effects black health discussed macro individual levels incarceration mental health care issues highlighted priorities addressed african americans remain least healthy ethnic group usa somber legacy years racial social injustice formidable challenge equitable health care systemic causes suboptimal black health require equally systemic solutions positive trends black health indicators seem driven social development programs economic investment education participation african americans policy decisionmaking expansion access health care