Wellness 4 Us

High blood pressure is a foundational driver of many chronic diseases—and in Black and Hispanic communities, its prevalence, severity, and consequences are disproportionate. From August 2021 to August 2023, hypertension affected 58.0% of Black adults—the highest rate among U.S. racial/ethnic groups. Hispanic adults face an elevated risk of hypertension incidence compared with White adults. Left unchecked, hypertension leads to stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure and contributes to dementia risk. Our advocacy must focus on accessible blood pressure screening, culturally adapted lifestyle support (including nutrition and stress reduction), and ensuring care pathways for Black and Hispanic communities that bridge gaps in diagnosis, management, and long-term protection.

In the Black and Hispanic communities, dementia doesn't just reflect an individual’s cognitive decline—it signals a broader inequity in health and wellness. Black older adults are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s and related dementias compared to White adults, and Hispanic older adults face approximately 1.5 times the risk of their White peers. Beyond just risk, Black and Hispanic older adults are more likely to experience delayed or missed diagnoses, meaning they often start care later and face greater burdens on families and caregivers. Through community-led advocacy, education on early signs, improved access to screening, and culturally-responsive care, we must ensure that families of color do not bear the heavier toll of dementia in silence or isolation.

Heart disease remains one of the most urgent health equity issues for Black and Hispanic Americans. In the U.S., the percentage of deaths from heart disease among Black individuals is 22.6%, higher than most ethnic groups. Among Black adults, 60% of men and 58.8% of women aged 20 + already carry some form of cardiovascular disease. While Hispanic adults are diagnosed with coronary heart disease at lower rates than Whites, social determinants—such as limited preventive care, food insecurity, and substandard living conditions—still place Hispanics at elevated risk for complications. Our advocacy must spotlight the relentless impact of heart disease in these communities, champion better access to screening and treatment, and dismantle the systemic factors that accelerate cardiovascular decline.

When it comes to breast cancer, Black and Hispanic women face a stark reality: Similar or even lower diagnosis rates do not translate into equal outcomes. Black women are diagnosed at slightly lower rates than White women, yet their mortality is about 40% higher. Hispanic women generally have a lower incidence, but they are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages—when treatment is harder and survival is lower. These disparities reflect longstanding inequities in screening access, treatment quality, and health-system responsiveness to women of color. Our collective action must push for early detection, culturally competent care, and support systems that uplift Black and Hispanic women through the entire breast cancer journey.