The Center for Disease Control andPrevention estimates that smoking deducts five to eight years from a person’slife. There are five toeight African-Americans, who are at the highest risk for the country’s leadingcause of death.
Risk factors for cardiovascular diseaseinclude hypertension, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, hereditary andsmoking.
Most of these, including smoking,are controllable and preventable.
To close the gap betweenAfrican-Americans and other ethnic groups, steps should be taken by thehealthcare system and black individuals themselves to promote awareness andencourage lifestyle changes.
Smoking is also a risk factor forother diseases that increases an individual’s risk of getting heartdisease. Such diseases includediabetes and high blood pressure, which are also disproportionate in blacks.
