The Ebook outlines several factors contributing to physical health disparities for Black Americans:
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Chronic Illnesses: Higher prevalence of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, driven by both genetic predispositions and environmental/social factors.
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Food Deserts: Limited access to nutritious food in predominantly Black neighborhoods, leading to diet-related diseases.
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Environmental Racism: Higher exposure to pollution and contaminants, resulting in respiratory conditions like asthma.
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Maternal and Infant Health: Higher rates of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and higher maternal mortality rates due to systemic biases and chronic stress.
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COVID-19 Impact: Higher infection and mortality rates due to pre-existing health conditions, limited healthcare access, and higher exposure in frontline jobs.
These disparities are largely driven by systemic inequities rather than biological differences.