[INFOGRAPHIC] Uninsured and Unhealthy: The Health Insurance Woes of African Americans

The recent Supreme Court ruling upholding Obamacare may be a small victory for many Americans, but it is no small comfort for Blacks.  Finance Online presents an infographic that highlights the alarming state of African Americans and their health coverage, or the lack of it. It may be a good sign that city officials have praised the ruling last year. From city Councilor Speaker Christine Quinn to Congressman Edolphus Towns saying it’s a positive move forward,  and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand chiming in that the Act will “help grow our economy and get more people back to work.” But will it? The High Court also allows states to opt out of Medicaid, which some analysts believe may put the health program’s burden on federal funding and impact on our national deficit; thus, creating a ripple effect that may draw us back to more unemployment.

Using data from the  US Census Bureau and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Finances Online created the infographic showing Blacks are less likely to be covered and less likely to cope with an illness than Hispanics and Whites.  The infographic also paints a grim picture for the minority groups, including: a) more elderly African Americans will need care; and b) areas with more Blacks have the highest concentration of uninsured African
Americans.

With Obamacare set for full implementation by next year, understanding the big picture is more critical than ever, especially for marginalized groups.

You can see the full version of the infographic here.