Shondelle M. Wilson-Frederick, Ph.D.; Juanita J. Chinn, Ph.D.; 

Lacreisha N. Ejike-King, Ph.D., M.S. and Rashida R. Dorsey, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Background 

Despite considerable efforts in recent years to reduce health 

disparities in the United States, non-Hispanic Black males (hereafter 

referred to as Black males) tend to experience greater adverse health 

outcomes relative to their racial and ethnic counterparts [1, 2]. 

Black males experience the lowest life expectancy at birth and are 

disproportionately impacted by chronic health conditions relative to 

other racial and ethnic or sex groups [3]. However, analyses often 

do not examine the impact of nativity on these observed health 

outcomes. To better understand the underlying factors that 

contribute to the disparate health outcomes in Black males in the 

United States, it is important to examine both U.S. born and 

foreign-born Black males.

Blacks in the United States are a diverse population that includes 

Caribbean, African, South and Central American immigrants as 

well as U.S.-born Blacks [4]. However, analyses typically report on 

measures of health and well-being among Blacks without 

examining nativity or length of time in the United States. 

We present estimates using data from the National Health Interview 

Survey (NHIS 2002-2012) conducted by the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics 

(NCHS) [5]. Data were collected prior to the establishment of the 

Health Insurance Marketplace and the expansion of Medicaid 

eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. Our analysis only 

includes adult Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) who lived in the 

United States and self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. We 

examine demographic and health characteristics among 14,851 nonelderly Black males by nativity and years in the United States: U.S.-

born (89 percent), foreign-born with less than 10 years in the United 

States (3 percent) and foreign-born with 10 years or more in the 

United States (8 percent). U.S.-born includes anyone who was born 

in one of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or U.S. 

territories. The foreign-born population includes anyone who was 

not born in the United States or a U.S. territory. 

Keywords

disaggregated data, health disparities, Black race group, immigrant health, men’s health, social determinants 

of health 

Highlights

Among Black males, 78% of 

foreign-born who lived in the 

United States for 10 years or more, 

76% of U.S. born, and 60% of 

foreign-born who lived in the 

United States for less than 10 

years had health insurance 

coverage.

Nearly 30% of foreign-born Black 

males who lived in the United 

States for less than 10 years had a 

usual place for preventive care.

Across all categories of nativity 

and years in the United States a 

majority of Black males had never 

smoked.

Foreign-born Black males who 

lived in the United States for less 

than 10 years (45%) had the 

highest percentage of healthy 

weight.

Thirty-four percent of U.S.-born 

Black males (highest among three 

groups of Black males) had been 

diagnosed with hypertension. 

Data from the CDC/NCHS NHIS 

2002-2012 based on household 

interviews of a sample of 14,851

civilian non-institutionalized Black

males (ages 18 to 64 years).
What is the age composition of Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) in the United 

States?

Figure 1. Age composition of adult Black males, by nativity and years in the United States (NHIS 2002-

2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. The average age of U.S.-born Black males was 

39 years. The average age of foreign-born Black males who have been in the United States for less than 10 years 

was 32 years. The average age of foreign-born Black males who have been in the United States for 10 years or more 

was 41 years. Due to rounding, sum of bars for each category of nativity and years in the United States may not 

equal 100 percent.

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in age composition across categories of nativity 

and years in the United States, p<0.001

18 to 24 years:

Twenty-five percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years 

were between the ages of 18 to 24 years. Nineteen percent of U.S.-born Black men were between the 

ages of 18 to 24 years. Eleven percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 

years or more were between the ages of 18 to 24 years.

19

23

44

14

19

22

44

15

25

38

35

2

11

22

52

15

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

18 to 24 years 25 to 34 years 35 to 54 years 55 to 64 years

Percent

Age categories

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 2
25 to 34 years:

Thirty-eight percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years 

were between the ages of 25 to 34 years. Twenty-two percent of both U.S.-born Black males and foreignborn Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more were between the ages of 25 to 34 

years. 

35 to 54 years:

More than half (52 percent) of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or 

more were between the ages of 35 to 54 years. Forty-four percent of U.S.-born Black males were between 

the ages of 35 to 54 years. A lower percentage (35 percent) of foreign-born Black males who lived in the 

United States for less than 10 years were between the ages of 35 to 54 years. 

55 to 64 years:

Fifteen percent of both U.S.-born Black males and foreign-born Black males who lived in the United 

States for 10 years or more were between the ages of 55 to 64 years. Only 2 percent of foreign-born 

Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years were between the ages of 55 to 64 years. 

Page 3
What percentage of Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) in the United States are

married?

Figure 2. Age-adjusted percentage of adult Black males who are married, by nativity and years in the 

United States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. All prevalence estimates were age-adjusted to 

the 2000 U.S. population standard. The non-married category (not shown) includes adult Black males who were 

never married, separated, widowed, and divorced. 

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in marriage across categories of nativity and 

years in the United States, p<0.001

Overall, more than half of non-elderly Black males were married. Sixty-seven percent of foreign-born 

Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years were married. Sixty percent of the 

foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more and 50 percent of U.S.-born 

Black males were married. 

51 50

67

60

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Married

Percent

Married

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 4
What is the educational attainment among Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) in 

the United States?

Figure 3. Age-adjusted educational attainment among adult Black males, by nativity and years in the 

United States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. GED is a certificate of general education 

development. Due to rounding, sum of bars for each category of nativity and years in the United States may not 

equal 100 percent. All prevalence estimates were age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. population standard.

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in educational attainment across categories of 

nativity and years in the United States, p<0.001

Less than high school:

U.S.-born Black males (19 percent) represented the highest percentage of Black males with less than a 

high school level of education. Sixteen percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United 

States for less than 10 years and 11 percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States 

for 10 years or more had less than a high school level of education.

19

33

48

19

34

46

16

36

48

11

26

62

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Less than high school High school/GED Some college or greater

Percent

Educational attainment

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 5
High school/ GED:

Foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years (36 percent) and U.S.-born 

Black males (34 percent) represented the highest percentages of Black males who reported high 

school/GED completion as their highest level of educational attainment. Twenty-six percent of foreignborn Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more reported high school/GED 

completion as their highest level of educational attainment.

Some college or greater:

Sixty-two percent of non-elderly foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or 

more completed some college or greater. Forty-eight percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in 

the United States for less than 10 years and 46 percent of U.S.-born Black males completed some college 

or greater. 

Page 6
What is the distribution of income to poverty ratios among Black males (ages 18 

to 64 years) in the United States?

Figure 4. Age-adjusted ratio of income to poverty among adult Black males, by nativity and years in the 

United States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. Due to rounding, sum of bars for each category 

of nativity and years in the United States may not equal 100 percent. An income to poverty ratio represents a 

detailed indicator of poverty status. The ratio was created by the NCHS utilizing published information from the U.S. 

Census Bureau regarding poverty thresholds [6]. A ratio of the previous calendar year’s income value reported by 

respondents to the poverty threshold for the same year was constructed, given information on the family’s overall size 

as well as the number of children (aged 17 and under) present in the family. All prevalence estimates were ageadjusted to the 2000 U.S. population standard. “Ratios below 1.00 indicate that the income for the respective 

family or unrelated individual is below the official definition of poverty, while a ratio of 1.00 or greater 

indicates income above the poverty level. A ratio of 1.25, for example, indicates that income was 125 

percent above the appropriate poverty threshold” [11].

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in ratio of income to poverty across categories 

of nativity and years in the United States, p<0.001

17

53

30

18

53

30

36

50

14

10

51

39

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Less than 1.00 1.00 to 3.99 4.00 or greater

Percent

Ratio of income to poverty

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 7
Income to poverty ratio of less than 1.00:

Thirty-six percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years had 

an income to poverty ratio of less than 1.00. Lower percentages of U.S.-born Black males (18 percent) 

and foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more (10 percent) had an 

income to poverty ratio of less than 1.00.

Income to poverty ratio of 1.00 to 3.99:

Fifty-three percent of U.S.-born Black males, 51 percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the 

United States for 10 years or more, and 50 percent foreign-born Black males who lived in the United 

States for less than 10 years had an income to poverty ratio of 1.00 to 3.99.

Income to poverty ratio of 4.00 or greater:

Thirty-nine percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more 

represented the highest percentage of Black males with an income to poverty ratio of 4.00 or greater. A 

lower percentage of U.S.-born Black males (30 percent) and foreign-born Black males who lived in the 

United States for less than 10 years (14 percent) had an income to poverty ratio of 4.00 or greater.

Page 8

Page 8
What percentage of Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) in the United States have 

health insurance coverage?

Figure 5. Age-adjusted health insurance coverage among adult Black males, by nativity and years in the 

United States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. Black males were considered insured if they had 

any private health insurance, government- or state-sponsored health insurance plans. All prevalence estimates were 

age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. population standard.

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in health insurance coverage status across 

categories of nativity and years in the United States, p<0.001

Overall, a majority of non-elderly Black males had health insurance coverage (76 percent). Seventy-eight 

percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more and 76 percent of 

U.S.-born Black males had health insurance coverage. Sixty percent of foreign-born Black males who 

lived in the United States for less than 10 years had health insurance coverage. 

76 76

60

78

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Insured

Percent

Health insurance coverage

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 9
What percentage of Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) in the United States report 

having a usual place for preventive care?

Figure 6. Age-adjusted percentage of adult Black males who have a usual place for preventive care, by 

nativity and years in the United States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. All prevalence estimates were age-adjusted to 

the 2000 U.S. population standard. Non-elderly Black males were classified as having a usual place for preventive 

care if they reported going to a: 1) clinic or health center; 2) doctor’s office or HMO; 3) hospital outpatient department; 

4) some other place; or 5) doesn’t go to one place most often. Individuals who reported not obtaining preventive care 

anywhere or going to the emergency room for preventive care were classified as not having a usual place for 

preventive care.

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in having a usual place for preventive care 

across categories of nativity and years in the United States, p=0.011

Overall, less than half of non-elderly Black males had a usual place for preventive care (45 percent). 

Forty-six percent of U.S.-born Black males, 40 percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the 

United States for 10 years or more and 26 percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United 

States for less than 10 years had a usual place for preventive care.

45

46

26

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Usual place for preventive care

Percent

Usual place for preventive care

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 10
When do Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) in the United States report last seeing 

a dentist?

Figure 7. Age-adjusted last dental visit among adult Black males, by nativity and years in the United 

States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. Due to rounding, sum of bars for each category 

of nativity and years in the United States may not equal 100 percent. All prevalence estimates were age-adjusted to 

the 2000 U.S. population standard.

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in last dental visit across categories of nativity 

and years in the United States, p<0.001

Never:

Nine percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years, 2 percent 

of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more, and 1 percent of U.S.-

born Black males never had a dental visit.

More than 1 year ago: 

Forty-nine percent of U.S.-born Black males had a dental visit more than 1 year ago. Forty-five percent 

of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years and 42 percent of 

foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more had a dental visit more than 

1 year ago.

1

48

20

31

1

49

20

30

9

45

13

34

2

42

21

35

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Never More than 1 year ago More than 6 months, but not

more than 1 year ago

6 months or less

Percent

Last dental visit

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 11
More than 6 months, but not more than 1 year ago: 

Twenty-one percent of the foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more, 

20 percent of the U.S.-born Black males, and 13 percent of the foreign-born Black males who lived in the 

United States for less than 10 years had a dental visit more than 6 months, but less than 1 year ago.

6 months or less:

Thirty-five percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more, 34 

percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years, and 30 percent 

of U.S.-born Black males had a dental visit in the past 6 months or less.

Page 12
What percentage of Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) in the United States has a 

flu shot in the past 12 months?

Figure 8. Age-adjusted flu shot receipt in the past 12 months among adult Black males, by nativity and 

years in the United States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. All prevalence estimates were age-adjusted to 

the 2000 U.S. population standard. It is recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older obtain an annual flu 

vaccination with rare exception [7]. 

Chi-square test was used to determine that the difference in having a flu shot in the past 12 months, across 

categories of nativity and years in the United States, was not statistically significant, p=0.082

Overall, less than 25 percent of non-elderly Black males had a flu shot in the past 12 months (22 percent). 

Twenty-three percent of U.S.-born Black males, 22 percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the 

United States less than 10 years and 19 percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United 

States for 10 years or more had a flu shot in the past 12 months.

22 23 22

19

0

5

10

15

20

25

Flu shot in past 12 months

Percent

Flu shot in past 12 months

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 13
What is the smoking status among Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) in the 

United States?

Figure 9. Age-adjusted smoking status among adult Black males, by nativity and years in the United 

States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. Due to rounding, sum of bars for each category 

of nativity and years in the United States may not equal 100 percent. All prevalence estimates were age-adjusted to 

the 2000 U.S. population standard.

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in smoking status across categories of nativity 

and years in the United States, p<0.001

Never smoker:

The majority of non-elderly Black males were never smokers (56 percent). The highest percentage of 

never smokers was observed among foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 

10 years (75 percent) followed by foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or 

more (74 percent). More than half (54 percent) of U.S.-born Black males were never smokers.

Former smoker:

Overall, a very low percentage of non-elderly Black males were former smokers. Seventeen percent of 

U.S.-born Black males, 12 percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 

years or more, and 10 percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 

years were former smokers.

56

17

27

54

17

28

75

10

15

74

12

14

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Never smoker Former smoker Current smoker

Percent

Smoking status

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 14
Current smoker:

U.S.-born Black males (28 percent) represented the highest percentage of current smokers. Fifteen

percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years and 14 percent 

of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more were current smokers.

Page 15
What is the weight status among Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) in the United 

States?

Figure 10. Age-adjusted weight status among adult Black males, by nativity and years in the United 

States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was used as a 

health indicator of weight. Individuals classified as underweight, BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2, are not shown. 

Individuals with a BMI between 18.5 kg/m2 to 24.9 kg/m2 were considered a healthy weight; 25.0 kg/m2 to 29.9 

kg/m2were classified as overweight; and individuals with BMI of 30 kg/m2and above were classified as obese [8]. Due 

to rounding, sum of bars for each category of nativity and years in the United States may not equal 100 percent. All 

prevalence estimates were age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. population standard.

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in weight status across categories of nativity and 

years in the United States, p<0.001

Healthy weight:

Forty-five percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years in the 

United States had a healthy weight. In contrast, 32 percent of foreign-born males who lived in the United 

States for 10 years or more and 28 percent U.S.-born Black males had a healthy weight. 

29

39

32

28

37

34

45

37

18

32

49

18

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Healthy weight Overweight Obese

Percent

Weight status

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 16
Overweight:

Forty-nine percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more were 

classified as overweight, whereas 37 percent U.S. born Black males and 37 percent of foreign-born Black 

males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years were classified as overweight.

Obese:

Thirty-four percent of U.S.-born Black males were classified as obese. In contrast, only 18 percent of 

foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years and 18 percent of foreignborn Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more were classified as obese.

Page 17
What is the prevalence of hypertension among Black males (ages 18 to 64 years) 

in the United States?

Figure 11. Age-adjusted hypertension among adult Black males, by nativity and years in the United 

States (NHIS 2002-2012)

NOTE: Analysis only includes Black males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black. Data are based on household 

interviews of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. To be classified with diagnosed hypertension, 

non-elderly Black males reported being told by a doctor or other health professional that they had hypertension on 

two or more different visits. All prevalence estimates were age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. population standard.

Chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant difference in hypertension across categories of nativity and 

years in the United States, p<0.001

Thirty-four percent of U.S.-born Black males had been diagnosed with hypertension by a doctor or other 

health professional. Thirty percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 

years or more and 20 percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 

years had been diagnosed with hypertension by a doctor or other health professional.

34 34

20

30

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Diagnosed hypertension

Percent

Diagnosed hypertension

Total

U.S.-born

Foreign-born, less than 10 years in the United States

Foreign-born, 10 years or more in the United States

Page 18
Summary

This data brief provides a profile of demographic and health 

characteristics from a diverse sample of 14,851 non-elderly Black males 

in the United States (NHIS 2002-2012). A majority of foreign-born 

Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more (62 

percent) had completed some college or greater. Nearly 80 percent of 

non-elderly Black males had health insurance coverage. Twenty-six 

percent of foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 

less than 10 years had a usual place for preventive medical care and 

nearly half of them (45 percent) had a healthy weight. However, 34 

percent of U.S.-born Black males, compared to 20 percent of foreignborn Black males who lived in the United States for less than 10 years,

had been diagnosed hypertension. These findings demonstrate the 

importance of examining health data by nativity and length of time in 

the United States among Black males to illuminate ways to increase 

health awareness, bolster health care access, and further develop 

effective programs and policies to reduce health disparities among this 

diverse population in the United States.

Conclusion

This brief highlights the heterogeneity of demographic and health characteristics for non-elderly U.S.-

born and foreign-born Black males. On many measures detailed in this data brief, significant differences 

were observed among U.S.-born Black males, foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States 

for less than 10 years and foreign-born Black males who lived in the United States for 10 years or more. 

These observations suggest that disaggregating data by nativity and length of time in the United States 

better illustrates the differences in demographic and health characteristics of the U.S.-born and foreignborn Black population. Examining the nativity of the Black population in the United States will help 

public health officials identify challenges and shape public health responses to disparities in health and 

health care.

Thirty years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued The Report on the 

Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health (also known as the Heckler Report). This 

groundbreaking report documented health disparities among minorities, estimated to be responsible for as 

many as 60,000 excess deaths each year. Margaret Heckler, the HHS Secretary who formed the Task 

Force, called the disparities detailed in the report: “an affront both to our ideals and to the ongoing genius 

of American medicine.” 

Ensuring all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care is an important step in addressing 

health disparities that have persisted since the 1985 Heckler Report. While millions have obtained health 

insurance since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, fully understanding the health and health care 

challenges facing minorities in the United States remains essential. By acknowledging the growing 

percentage of Black immigrants living in the United States [9, 10] and adjusting our approach to studying 

health indicators and social determinants of health, the nation’s public health leaders and policy makers 

will be better positioned to reduce disparities that persist in these communities.

The Office of Minority 

Health at the U.S. 

Department of Health 

and Human Services 

is dedicated to 

improving the health of 

racial and ethnic 

minority populations 

through the 

development of health 

policies and programs 

that help eliminate 

health disparities.

Page 19
Definitions [5]

Adult non-Hispanic Blacks

Based on non-elderly males who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black or African American. 

Diagnosed hypertension

To be classified with diagnosed hypertension, non-elderly Black males reported being told by a doctor or 

other health professional that they had hypertension on two or more different visits.

Educational attainment

Education was categorized as less than high school; high school graduate, including certificate of general 

education development (GED); and some college or greater. 

Health insurance coverage

Non-elderly Black males were considered insured if they had any private health insurance, government-, 

or state-sponsored health insurance plans.

Income to poverty ratio

Observations missing on income were not included in the analysis of income to poverty ratios. The 

income to poverty ratio was created by the NCHS utilizing published information from the U.S. Census 

Bureau regarding poverty thresholds [6]. A ratio of the previous calendar year’s income value reported by

respondents to the poverty threshold for the same year was constructed, based on the family’s overall size 

as well as the number of children (aged 17 and under) present in the family [5]. “Ratios below 1.00 

indicate that the income for the respective family or unrelated individual is below the official definition of 

poverty, while a ratio of 1.00 or greater indicates income above the poverty level. A ratio of 1.25, for 

example, indicates that income was 125 percent above the appropriate poverty threshold” [11].

Marital Status

Non-elderly Black males who were not married included those reported to be widowed, divorced, 

separated, or never married. 

Nativity and Years in the United States

Nativity refers to place of birth and was based on a geographical place of birth recode provided by the 

NCHS/NHIS. For this study, two places of birth were analyzed: U.S.-born and foreign-born. The U.S.-

born population includes anyone born in one of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia or a U.S. 

territory. The foreign-born population includes anyone who was not born in the United States or a U.S. 

territory. Years in the United States refers to the respondent’s answer to “Years that {respondent} has 

been in the U.S.” This question was asked of all respondents that were not born in the United States.

Smoking status

Those who reported smoking fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime were classified as never smokers.

Former smokers reported smoking 100 cigarettes or more in their lifetime and did not currently smoke 

every day or on occasion. Current smokers were classified as having smoked 100 cigarettes in their 

lifetime and currently smoking every day or on occasion.

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Weight status

Weight status was based on body mass index (BMI, kg/m2

). BMI classifications were based on cut-points 

established by the World Health Organization, using self-reported height and weight [8]. Individuals 

classified as underweight, BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2

, are not shown. Individuals with a BMI between 

18.5 kg/m2 to 24.9 kg/m2 were classified as healthy weight; 25.0 kg/m2 to 29.9 kg/m2 were classified as 

overweight; and individuals with BMI of 30 kg/m2

and above were classified as obese. 

Usual place for preventive care

Non-elderly Black males were classified as having a usual place for preventive care if they reported going 

to a: 1) clinic or health center; 2) doctor’s office or HMO; 3) hospital outpatient department; 4) some 

other place; or 5) doesn’t go to one place most often. Non-elderly Black males who reported not obtaining 

preventive care anywhere or going to the emergency room for preventive care were classified as not have 

a usual place for preventive care. 

Data Sources and Methods

Analyses in this data brief were based on National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) collected from 2002-

2012. Sampling weights were used to produce national estimates that were representative of the civilian 

non-institutionalized U.S. population. Our analysis was restricted to non-Hispanic Black/African 

American males between the ages 18 to 64 years who specified their nativity or length of time in the 

United States. This yielded a final sample of 14,851 non-elderly Black males. 

Chi-square tests were used to assess the proportional differences for demographic and health 

characteristics by nativity and years in the United States. All estimates shown meet the NCHS standard 

of having less than or equal to 30% relative standard error. Point estimates in all figures are accompanied 

by 95% confidence intervals. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA 13 [12] to account for 

the complex sample design of the NHIS. Data were analyzed using sample weights to account for 

differential probabilities of sample selection, non-response, and sample non-coverage. All prevalence 

estimates were age-standardized to the 2000 U.S. population [13]. 

The authors intentionally did not use the terms “African-American” or “Black/African-American”. This 

data brief highlights the diversity of the Black population, particularly by nativity and length of time in 

the United States. The term “African-American” does not capture the geographical diversity of the Black 

population, and the Black foreign-born population living in the United States.

Limitations

Because we used a nationally representative sample of non-elderly Black males from the 

CDC/NCHS/NHIS, all variables included in this analysis were self-reported and subject to recall bias. 

Also, the NHIS only collects data on non-institutionalized persons; thus, our findings are not 

generalizable to incarcerated populations, military personnel, or adults in nursing homes or other longterm care facilities.

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References 

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Immigrants; and While Most Are from the Caribbean, Africans Drive Recent Growth. Pew Research 

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About the Authors

Shondelle M. Wilson-Frederick is with the Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS). Lacreisha N. Ejike-King was formerly with the HHS OMH. Rashida 

R. Dorsey is with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services. At the time this brief was developed, Dr. Dorsey served as 

the Director of the Division of Policy and Data at OMH. Juanita J. Chinn is the OMH Health Disparities 

Fellow at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Suggested citation

Wilson-Frederick SM, Chinn JJ, Ejike-King LN, and Dorsey RR. Demographic and Health 

Characteristics among a Diverse Group of Adult Black Males in the United States: 2002-2012. OMH 

Data Brief No. 5. Rockville, MD: Office of Minority Health. 2015.

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge Roland J. Thorpe, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of 

Health, Behavior, and Society; Director, Program for Research on Men’s Health, Hopkins Center for 

Health Disparities Solutions of the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and member of the 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Minority Health, for his 

thorough review of this data brief.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without 

permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

Office of Minority Health 

J. Nadine Gracia, M.D., M.S.C.E., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and Director, Office of 

Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 600

Rockville, MD 20852

Phone: 240-453-2882 | Fax: 240-453-2883 

Email: info@minorityhealth.hhs.gov | www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov

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