Historians tell us that Americans have annually recognized black history since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as black history month. The recognition of black history month was influenced by Dr. Carter G Woodson who was born to slave parents, worked in the coal mines of Kentucky, then later attended and obtained a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Why was February chosen as Black History month? February marks the birthdays of Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln, two slave abolitionists who greatly impacted the lives of American blacks. The month of February also has the following significance to Blacks: February 23, 1868, W.E.B. Dubois, important civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP, was born. February 3, 1870, the 15th Amendment, granting blacks the right to vote was passed. February 25, 1870, the first black U.S. senator, Hiram Revels, took his oath of office. February 12, 1909, NAACP was founded. February 1, 1960, a group of black Greensboro, N.C., college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter. February 21, 1965: Malcolm X, Black militant Leader, who promoted Black Nationalism, was shot to death.

How is the health and social status of Blacks in the country? On the condition of Blacks in the country, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had this to say on August 28, 1963 during his “I have a dream” speech: “… the Negro (Black) lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity; the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land”. Things haven’t changed much for today’s blacks. Despite educational, economic and sociopolitical achievements made by some blacks in the country, majority of blacks are still poor, live in segregated neighborhoods or housing projects, attend poorly funded schools, have higher unemployment rate; have no health insurance or under-insured, have limited access to healthcare, are unhealthy and die earlier than other population groups in the country.

How is health disparity being addressed in the country? In January 2000, “Healthy People 2010” the nationwide roadmap for improving health of all people in the United States identified “Health Disparities” among different segments of American populations as one of two major health goals to be achieved by the year 2010. This national initiative is currently addressing health disparity which is taking such a heavy health toll on blacks.

What is the current health profile of Blacks in the country? The following black health profile is reported by the US centers for disease control (CDC):

1. Diabetes is approximately 70 percent higher among blacks than whites.
2. Heart disease: Blacks have 25% higher death rates from heart attacks than whites.
3. Stroke: Blacks have twice the risk of having a stroke than the general population; they also suffer more complications from stroke than the general population.
4. Breast Cancer: Black women develop breast cancer less often than do white women, but black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a late stage and to die from it than white women
5. Asthma: Rates for death, hospitalization, and emergency room visits due to asthma are three times higher for blacks than whites.
6. Smoking and Health: Blacks continue to suffer disproportionately from smoking-related chronic and preventable disease compared with whites.
7. Prostate Cancer: Blacks are 3 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than whites.
8. Youths: There is a 120% increase in the epidemic of obesity or being fat among black than white youths.

What can be done to improve the Health of Blacks? Blacks need to assume primary responsibilities for their health by adopting healthy lifestyles. It is important to improve black access to economic opportunities and health services. It is also critical to promote preventive health education that is community based, culturally sensitive, and involves the black family and church. Federal, state and local policies and regulations should consider the needs of Blacks and other minority groups, who are often under-represented in most policies making settings.

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