Black/African American Health

Stroke and Black/African Americans

  • In 2018, non-Hispanic Black or African American adults were 50% more likely to have a stroke than non-Hispanic white adults.1
  • In 2021, non-Hispanic Black or African Americans were 10% less likely to die due to a stroke than non-Hispanic whites.2

Diagnosed Cases of Stroke

Stroke among persons age 18 and over, age-adjusted percentage, 2018
Non-Hispanic BlackNon-Hispanic WhiteNon-Hispanic Black/
Non-Hispanic White Ratio
4.02.71.5
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2021. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-1a.

Death Rate

Death due to stroke (cerebrovascular diseases), age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population, 2021
Non-Hispanic BlackNon-Hispanic WhiteNon-Hispanic Black/
Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Male51.851.41.0
Female57.168.20.8
Both Sexes54.659.90.9
Source: CDC, 2024. Deaths: Final Data for 2021. National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 73, No. 8. Table 10.

1 CDC, 2021. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-1a. (back)

2 CDC, 2024. Deaths: Final Data for 2021. National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 73, No. 8. Table 10. (back)


Last Edited: 01/16/2025