Why black men’s health disparities affect us all

Black males in Philadelphia have a lower life expectancy than everybody else. Why does this disparity exist and how should we work to close the gap?

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Dr. Ronald Renzi performs an ultrasound on Russell Davis to check on blood circulation in screenings for peripheral vascular disease during a health and wellness clinic at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Mount Airy. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)

Dr. Ronald Renzi performs an ultrasound on Russell Davis to check on blood circulation in screenings for peripheral vascular disease during a health and wellness clinic at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Mount Airy. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)

The city of Philadelphia recently released its first-ever report on the health of black men and boys. The study revealed that the life expectancy of black men is 69.1 years, more than five years less than other men and 10 less than women. Why does this disparity exist and how are we working to close that gap? WHYY reporter Darryl C. Murphy explains on this episode of The Why.

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