News

African-American Men: Stress & Health

By Anthony Wilson

(02/15/06 -- DURHAM) (WTVD) -- A concerted effort is being made to improve the overall health of black men. According to the latest CDC study, life expectancy at birth for a black male is 69 years old.

That's six years shorter than white males, seven years shorter than black females and 11 years shorter than white females. Experts say stress is contributing to the deterioration of African-American men's health.

In one of the most disturbing scenes from the movie "Crash," an African-American man, played by Terrence Howard, chokes back his rage as he watches a bigoted police officer take unwanted liberties with his wife during a bogus traffic stop. NCCU law professor Irv Joyner says the scene is not just in the movies - - it's real.

"It's very real, and it adds to the stress that black men experience on a regular basis," he said. "Because every black man knows, but for the grace of God, that could happen to them at any time."

Story continues below

Studies conducted by US, Canadian and British medical experts show stress caused by years of enduring racial insults can be deadly for black men. Starting in their mid-20s, some black men develop signs of hypertension, heart disease, or other potentially fatal health problems.

Dr. Leroy Darkes of the Rex Senior Center says the health of those at-risk men could get worse as they get older.

"It could be devastating," he said. "Again, most of the conditions that affect us as human beings are symptomless."

That's why Darkes plays health-education videos in the waiting room of the Rex Senior Center in Raleigh for men, or their loved ones concerned about missing check-ups.

Still, some African-American men have difficulty taking long delayed steps toward needed health care.

"When your body begins to deteriorate, we go into denial," according to NCCU law professor Irv Joyner, "because we don't want other people to see our vulnerability."

Author and Duke professor of black popular culture Mark Anthony Neal agrees.

"You know, my father's 70 years old, and as a kid, I think I recall him going to the doctor twice," he said.

Professor Neal hopes people who relate to the stress depicted in "Crash" will be motivated to take control of their health and help others.

"I'm someone who suffers from sleep apnea," Neal said. "Whenever I hear about black men who have problems breathing at night, who are snoring, the first thing I tell them is go get a sleep test. So we have to have black men who are serious about speaking out to other black men about taking care of themselves."