Heart Disease Tops Leading Causes of Deaths for Tennessee’s African-Americans in 2004

Heart Disease Also Number One For Hospital Discharges

Nashville, February 24, 2006

The top four causes of death for African-Americans in Tennessee in 2004 leads with heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. The top causes of death do not differ much from the general population’s rankings of causes of death, except for diabetes, which ranks the sixth leading cause of death for all Tennesseans.

Heart disease is the number one killer for all genders and races, claiming 2,190 African-American lives in 2004. Various cancers were responsible for 1,769 deaths and stroke killed 567 blacks. Diabetes, which is becoming more prevalent in the African-American community, accounted for 417 deaths.

Leading causes of death for African-Americans in Tennessee in 2004:

Lung cancer was the number one cancer killer of African-Americans in 2004, with about 500 deaths. Colon, breast, lymphoma and prostate cancers were among the top five cancer deaths for African-Americans.

Reasons for hospitalization can often indicate the changing nature of health problems in Tennesseans. Unfortunately, those without health insurance are underrepresented and these numbers will not reflect those who may be living with a condition and not seeking medical help.

Other than childbirth, the following diagnoses were the main reasons for hospitalizations for Tennessee African-Americans in 2004:

The Department of Health urges all Tennesseans to Respect Your Health! and find a medical home, or primary care physician, as well as make nutritious food choices and be active. Some health departments offer primary care starting at $5. Call your local health department to see what services they offer.

For more information about these conditions, visit the Department of Health’s Web site at http://www.tn.gov/health/ or call your local health department.

Note: This is the second in a series of four media releases issued by the Tennessee Department of Health during Black History Month to address health issues in the African-American community.