Minority men: Under the healthcare radar

American men's health has been described as a brewing crisis. Men are more likely than women to drink heavily, smoke cigarettes, be overweight, and delay seeking health care. These factors contribute to 5 ½ years less life expectancy for men than women. The crisis is further exacerbated for men living in poverty because there are few publicly funded healthcare initiatives. Minority men are at even greater risk for poor health and poor health outcomes. Health disparities for African American men, the predominant minority group in the county where this study was conducted, are dramatic. Death rates for AIDS are 332% higher; stroke 128% higher; liver disease 122% higher; motor vehicle crashes 155% higher; and homicide 461% higher than rates for the same age group of all adults. This study solicited the perspectives of service providers, administrators, and men in need of health services in the exploration of the inter-related issues of health behaviors and the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of healthcare services for minority men. Results revealed that existing healthcare resources are unwelcoming, unattainable, or ill-suited for this underserved population. This study is currently fueling efforts with three partnering health-service agencies in the county to develop an effective healthcare intervention for this underserved, under-the-radar, at-risk population.