Why this guide

Black health is shaped by strengths like community, spirituality, creativity, and perseverance, and also by structural barriers that affect access, trust, and outcomes. Thriving means pairing culture-based strengths with consistent primary care, mental health support, informed self-advocacy, and equitable policies.

What to watch and act on

1) Heart & metabolic health

High blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol problems are common drivers of stroke and heart disease. Make a plan for blood pressure checks, A1C tests if at risk, movement you enjoy, and a food pattern that fits your culture and budget. Ask your clinician about home BP monitors and how to track readings.

Take action

• Know your numbers: BP, A1C (if at risk), cholesterol.
• Move most days; build around walking, dance, church leagues, or home routines.
• Cook heritage foods in health-forward ways (grill, bake, air-fry; watch salt).

2) Cancer screening you can plan ahead

Discuss age- and risk-based screening for breast, colorectal, cervical, and prostate cancer. Family history and personal risk can shift timing. If costs are a barrier, ask about no-cost or low-cost programs.

3) Maternal health across the journey

Before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after delivery, early and consistent care protects parent and baby. Find a clinician you trust, bring written questions, and invite a support person to visits. If a concern is dismissed, ask again or seek a second opinion.

4) Mental health as health

Common stressors include racism, code-switching, microaggressions, system mistrust, and stigma. These stressors can add up over time and affect sleep, mood, focus, and physical health. Joy, community, faith, creativity, and culturally affirming care are powerful buffers.

Take action

• Normalize check-ins: anxiety, low mood, trauma symptoms, or burnout deserve care.
• Look for a culturally responsive therapist or support space.
• Practice “Black joy” habits: community time, movement, music, prayer, rest.

5) Skin and hair care for skin of color

Conditions like acne, hyperpigmentation, keloids, and scalp issues can look and respond differently on darker skin. Ask for dermatology guidance specific to skin of color.

6) Sickle cell and other lifelong conditions

Sickle cell disease needs steady primary care, pain management plans, and specialist follow-up. Connect with patient communities and advocacy groups for practical tips and support.

7) Advocacy & equity

Community organizations work on tobacco and menthol policy, maternal health, HIV, mental health, food access, and more. Getting involved and using their resources can improve individual care and community outcomes.

Building your care team & advocating for yourself

• Find fit: Choose clinicians who listen, explain clearly, and respect culture and pronouns.
• Prep for visits: Bring a written list of symptoms, meds, questions, and goals.
• Bring support: A trusted person can help take notes and speak up.
• Ask “What are my options?” Get benefits and risks for each choice.
• Follow up: Request lab copies and next steps; use portals or printed summaries.
• Seek second opinions when something does not feel right.

HIV in the Black Community: Prevention, Care, and Thriving

HIV has improved outcomes with today’s testing, prevention, and treatment, yet disparities remain due to access gaps, stigma, and systemic inequities. The essentials below focus on prevention, early diagnosis, rapid linkage to care, and whole-person support.

Prevention that works

• Condoms reduce risk during sex.
• PrEP (a preventive medication) lowers the chance of getting HIV when taken as prescribed; discuss pills or long-acting options with a clinician.
• PEP is an emergency option after a possible exposure; start as soon as possible within 72 hours.
• Harm reduction: Use sterile supplies and access support services.
• Regular testing: At least once a year if sexually active; more often if you have new or multiple partners or other risk factors.

Testing, linkage, and treatment

• Rapid testing gives fast results; confirmatory tests follow.
• If positive, start treatment early. HIV treatment can suppress the virus to “undetectable” levels, which protects your health and prevents sexual transmission (U=U).
• Stay engaged in care: Keep appointments, labs, and refills; ask about help with transport, childcare, or costs.
• Integrate mental health care: Trauma, depression, or anxiety can affect adherence; therapy and peer support help.

Tackling barriers

• Stigma and medical mistrust: Choose affirming providers; bring an advocate; ask for plain-language explanations.
• Cost and access: Ask about patient assistance, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program services, sliding-scale clinics, or community programs.
• Culturally rooted support: Faith communities, peer groups, and local Black health organizations can reduce isolation and help with navigation.

Black Women & HIV

Black women face overlapping risks from social and economic stressors, caregiving roles, intimate partner violence, and unequal access to respectful reproductive and primary care. Prevention and care should center autonomy, safety, and whole-life goals.

What to prioritize

• Screening & prevention: Regular testing; talk about PrEP options that fit your life (daily pills or long-acting).
• Reproductive health: Discuss contraception, pregnancy plans, and HIV prevention or treatment before and during pregnancy; start prenatal care early and bring questions to each visit.
• Clinic experience: If concerns are dismissed, ask again or switch providers. Bring a support person and a written plan.
• After delivery: Keep postpartum visits for blood pressure, mood, feeding support, and HIV care if living with HIV.
• Mental health: Address stress, depression, or trauma that can impact adherence and wellness; seek culturally responsive counseling.

Mental health in the Black community

Mental health is health. Many Black people face extra stress from racism, bias, and daily microaggressions. This stress can build over time and affect sleep, mood, blood pressure, and relationships. It helps to name these pressures and to know they are real, not a personal failure. Faith, music, family, and community care are strengths that support healing, and culturally responsive care makes a difference.

Getting help early is a sign of strength. You can start with a primary care visit, a therapist who understands Black culture, or a support group. Ask for plain language about options, side effects, and goals. If cost or access is a barrier, ask about sliding scale lists, community mental health clinics, or telehealth. National hotlines like 988 offer free, confidential support at any time.

Everyday actions also matter. Try a consistent sleep schedule, movement you enjoy, and time for joy and rest. Set boundaries at work and in relationships. Practice coping skills like deep breathing, journaling, and prayer. Seek spaces that affirm who you are, and avoid providers who dismiss your concerns. Community organizations that focus on Black health and equity can help with navigation and advocacy.

Black women’s health

Black women carry many responsibilities and often put their own health last. Regular primary care visits help prevent problems and catch issues early. Heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers affect Black women at higher rates, and screening plans should reflect personal and family history. Ask about blood pressure checks, A1C testing if at risk, and age and risk based screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer. Bring written questions and a support person to visits. Seek a second opinion if something does not feel right.

Maternal health needs special attention. If you are planning a pregnancy, schedule a preconception visit. During pregnancy, keep all prenatal visits and speak up about symptoms like swelling, headaches, shortness of breath, or chest pain. After delivery, go to postpartum visits and ask about blood pressure, mood, feeding, and recovery. If you are living with HIV, work with your care team on treatment and infant follow up. Respectful, culturally aware care improves safety for parents and babies. (Boston University)

Mental health support is also essential. Depression, anxiety, and trauma can show up as irritability, low energy, trouble sleeping, or changes in appetite. Postpartum depression and anxiety are common and treatable. Look for therapists and peer groups that center Black women’s experiences. Community resources can help with cost, transportation, and childcare.

Black men’s health

Black men face high rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. A strong routine of primary care helps prevent complications. Ask for regular blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening, and A1C testing if at risk. Talk with a clinician about prostate cancer screening and how family history or symptoms change the plan. Find a provider who listens and respects your goals, and bring a list of questions to each visit.

Mental health deserves the same attention. Men may be taught to stay silent about stress, grief, or worry, but silence can harm health. Therapy, support groups, and peer programs created for Black men can reduce stigma and open space for growth. If alcohol or substances are part of coping, ask about harm reduction and treatment options that fit your life. Faith and community leaders can partner with clinicians to support healing.

Daily habits support long term health. Choose movement you enjoy, like walking groups, church leagues, or home workouts. Cook familiar foods in healthier ways by reducing salt and added sugars. Prioritize sleep and stress management. Ask about low cost or free programs through local Black health organizations, and use them to stay on track.

Black LGBTQ community health

Black LGBTQ people may face overlapping discrimination related to race, gender, and sexuality. These layers can raise stress and reduce trust in health systems. It helps to seek care from providers who affirm identity and use inclusive language. Ask clinics about nondiscrimination policies and staff training. Bring a friend or advocate if that helps you feel safe. Mental health care that understands both culture and LGBTQ experiences can improve well being and treatment follow through.

Sexual health is part of whole health. Regular testing for HIV and STIs is a healthy practice for anyone who is sexually active. Talk about prevention tools that fit your life, including condoms, PrEP to prevent HIV, and PEP within 72 hours after a possible exposure. If you are living with HIV, consistent treatment can reach an undetectable level and prevent sexual transmission. Community groups that focus on Black LGBTQ wellness can offer trusted referrals, peer support, and help with appointments and costs.

Basic needs shape health. Food access, safe housing, gender affirming care, and legal support all affect mental and physical health. Look for organizations that support Black LGBTQ communities with therapy funds, advocacy, and navigation. These community efforts reduce isolation and help people stay connected to care.