Black Health Is Black Wealth

Introduction

A nation is really only as strong as its people. If we are beaten, sick, tired, and overworked, we cannot build schools, businesses, or communities. For too long, Black health has been neglected, misdiagnosed, and exploited by systems that actually profit from our pain. It’s time to flip the script: strong health is the backbone of nation-building. Think about it, If we increased our health awareness, would these hospitals continue to profit so much?

The Realities We Face

• Black Americans have higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

• Maternal mortality rates for Black women are 3–4 times higher than for White women.

• Access to affordable, quality healthcare in Black neighborhoods is limited compared to other communities.

This is not by accident, it’s by design. But believe their design can be countered with our own designs.

Health as Infrastructure

When we think about nation-building, we often jump straight to banks, businesses, or schools. But none of those matter if our people aren’t alive and thriving. A nation needs hospitals, clinics, wellness centers, fitness programs, and mental health support systems. Just like we build banks to manage money, we must build institutions to manage health.

Building a Black Health Network

1. Community Clinics: Affordable, Black-owned clinics (i.e. Chicago) that prioritize preventative care.

2. Wellness Programs: Fitness, nutrition, and mental health workshops built into our cultural centers.

3. Traditional Healing & Modern Medicine: Combining ancestral practices (herbs, diet, meditation) with modern science for a holistic approach.

4. Health Cooperatives: Families pooling funds for group insurance, reducing costs and ensuring care access.

Steps You Can Take Today

• Support a Black doctor, therapist, or wellness coach in your area.

• Learn one new health practice rooted in African traditions (herbal teas, fasting, mindfulness).

• Start a small fitness or walking group in your community since health is stronger together.

• Share knowledge: talk about health openly with family and friends, breaking the stigma around wellness and mental health.

Closing Thought

We often say “health is wealth,” but for Black people, health is survival. Every strong nation has a healthcare system designed to protect its people. If we want our children to inherit a future worth living, we must fight for our health today.