African Americans have higher rates of chronic illnesses associated with greater vulnerability to COVID-19: Age-adjusted prevalence of asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity among black and white adults

Black White
Asthma 9.2% 8.0%
Diabetes 16.8% 10.0%
Hypertension 40.3% 27.8%
Obesity 49.6% 42.2%

Notes: White refers to non-Hispanic whites, black refers to blacks alone. Age-adjusted prevalence of asthma, diabetes, and hypertension among adults ages 18 and over. Age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among adults ages 20 and over.

Sources: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey 2018; National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016, 2015–2016, and 2017–2018.

View the underlying data on epi.org.