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African American Cultural Fact Sheet
Source: http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/culture-fact-sheets/
The following cultural patterns may represent many African Americans, but do not represent all
people in a community. Each person is an individual, as well as a community member. The term
African American generally refers to people descended from Africans who did not come to the
US voluntarily—descendants of the four million slaves brought to the US between 1600 and
1800.
Social structure
According to the University of California - School of Nursing, in Culture and Clinical Care, many
aspects of African American culture today reflect the culture of the general US population. The
structure in African American families is often nuclear and extended with non-related “family”
members. The family may be matriarchal, although father or mother may take on the decisionmaking role. For African Americans, women more than men tend to remain unmarried, and
more women have been educated at the college level.
In general, the older generation is more conservative, may have a more traditional view of
gender roles, and may shun interracial dating and marriage. Elders are respected and often
provide care for their grandchildren. Institutionalization of elders has historically been avoided,
with sons and daughters taking on the family caretaker role.
Diet
Many African Americans like hearty meals that may include meat, fish, greens, rice, grits, white
and sweet potatoes, corn, turnips, eggplant, peanuts, and homemade desserts. Leafy greens may
include spinach, collards, mustard, kale, and cabbage. Traditionally, many elders eat a large
noon meal on Sunday after church.
Traditional African-American food—sometimes referred to as “soul food”—is diverse and
flavorful with origins in Africa, the West Indies, and American southern states. The idea of what
soul food is differs greatly among African Americans. Soul food may refer to meals made with
fried chicken, pork chops, chitterlings, grits, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, and hushpuppies.
Dishes such as hoppin’ John (rice, black-eyed peas, and salt pork), gumbos, jambalyas, fried
porgies, and potlikker may all be considered soul food. Okra is the principal ingredient in
gumbo, a Creole stew, and is believed to have spiritual and healthful properties. Many of these
foods found their way from the south to the north via the Mississippi River. Cajun and Creole
cooking, which originated from the French and Spanish in Louisiana, was changed in character
and composition by the influence of African cooks.
In 1965, African Americans were more than twice as likely as whites to eat a recommended diet
of fruit, vegetables, fat, fiber, and calcium. By 1996, 28 percent of this population was reported
to have a poor-quality diet, compared to 16 percent of whites. A poor quality diet often can be
attributed to greater access to packaged, processed, and fast foods; the common practice of
using fats in cooking; and the high cost of fresh produce and lean meat. And fast foot companies
have specifically targeted African American communities as a growing market for their products.
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Although many African Americans eat foods such as greens, beans, and rice, which are rich in
nutrients, economic issues and deep-rooted dietary habits create challenges for changing
behaviors and lowering disease risk in this population. However, through health education and
increased awareness of healthy eating practices, African Americans are replacing traditional
pork products with turkey, fried foods with baked foods, and starchy vegetables with tomatoes
and green vegetables. National programs to improve diet quality and the overall health of
African Americans and other minority groups have been initiated. Body and Soul: A Celebration
of Health Eating and Living for African Americans offers information targeted to African
Americans on eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Religion
African Americans often have strong religious affiliations. Many are affiliated with Christian
denominations—notably Baptist and Church of God in Christ. Many follow Islam. Maintaining
good health is associated with good religious practice. Many churches maintain a health
ministry, through which congregations and parish nurses support good health with flu shots,
blood pressure checks, and health education. Before the advent of health ministries, African
American churches had mission volunteers who attended services and administered to
parishioners.
Medical care
African Americans are becoming increasingly health conscious, seeking health screenings and
treatments, although health literacy in this population tends to vary by generation. Older
African Americans may be suspicious of clinicians, believing their health is personal and up to
God’s will. Because they may be reluctant to share personal or family issues, building a trusting
relationship is key.
 African Americans are affected disproportionately by the leading causes of death in the US,
with more morbidity and mortality from premature births, cancer, HIV/AIDS, obesity, and
diseases related to obesity, including heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and type 2
diabetes.
 African American men have higher rates of getting and dying from prostate cancer than
other men.
 Forty-five percent of African American adults in the US are obese.
 African Americans are more likely to die from asthma than other populations.
 Nearly half of those infected with HIV/AIDS are African American.
 Sickle cell anemia is the most common genetically inherited condition in African Americans.
They also exhibit a higher incidence of lactose intolerance, periodontal disease, and have
common skin problems such as melasma (discoloration of the face) and other pigment
disorders.
Death and Dying
Many older African Americans believe that death is at God’s will, but tend to believe that life
support should be continued as long as necessary. A family-centered approach is recommended
for conveying serious medical information, seeking consents, and explaining issues such as
autopsy and organ donation. Cremation is generally avoided in this community and organ
donation may be viewed by some as a desecration of the body. Because of the importance of
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family in the African American culture, the family should be informed of an impending death so
that extended family members who live out of state can be notified.
In the African American community, death is an important aspect of culture, with unique
traditions, mourning practices, burial rites, and even the structure of cemeteries. Rather than a
time of sadness, death is a time to celebrate that the deceased no longer has to endure the trials
of the earthly world. Some present day customs associated with death can be traced back to
African roots. Customs have been passed down in the form of expressions, superstitions,
religious practices, and music. At the time of death, old beliefs and superstitions are
remembered and may be acted upon, such as not burying the deceased on a rainy day or burying
the deceased with feet facing east to allow rising on Judgment Day. Coins may be placed on the
eyes or in the hands of the deceased, or placed around the grave site as the deceased’s
contribution to the community of ancestors.
Culture in Context
Culture is essential in assessing a person’s health and well-being. Understanding a patient’s
practice of cultural norms can allow providers to quickly build rapport and ensure effective
patient-provider communication. Efforts to reduce health disparities must be holistic,
addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of individuals and families. Also
important is making connections with community members and recognizing conditions in the
community.
Get to know your patients on an individual level. Not all patients from diverse populations
conform to commonly known culture-specific behaviors, beliefs, and actions. Generalizations in
this material may not apply to your patients.
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