American Heart Association American Cancer Society American Diabetes Association
American Diabetes Association American Heart Association American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society American Diabetes Association American Heart Association
Four people collaborating putting illustrated gear wheels together.

Collaboration
for Equitable Health


The American Heart AssociationĀ®, the American Cancer SocietyĀ®, the American Diabetes AssociationĀ®, and the University of Michigan School of Public Health will specifically focus on the leading causes of death in communities of color – heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes – and improving health outcomes more broadly. This four-year initiative launched in 11 cities with the work tailored to meet the needs of each community based on collected data.


Nurse listening to stethoscope on patient's chest

American Heart Association

The American Heart Association (AHA) is here to support your community as you create the path for your best life, which includes learning how to manage high blood pressure. We are a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a leading cancer-fighting organization, working to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research and direct patient support. Our goal is to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes AssociationĀ® (ADA) is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and advocating for those affected by diabetes—no matter their race, income, zip code, age, education, or gender.

Health Statistics in Launch Cities

As part of this effort, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the American Diabetes Association will focus on three key areas in each community: education and capacity building, increasing access to health screenings and preventative care, and advocating for policies that ensure fair opportunities and resources.

Click on any city to learn about its current health profile.

Evaluation efforts led by the

University of Michigan

General Stats 1

4th largest city in the Southwest with a population of 564,599

Racial Composition 2

  • 48% identify as Latino or Hispanic, which is three times the national average
  • 9% identify as American Indian/Alaskan native, which is 9 times the national average

Leading Causes of Death 3

Heart Disease & Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 28.5% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 6.2% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 3.2% 3.0%

Cancer Deaths per 100K 5

Ethnicity City National
Black 143.6 173.6
White 136.9 157.2
Indian/AK Native 104.2 101.2
Hispanic 142.2 109.7

Cancer Screening Rates 6

Type City National
Mammography 67.1% 78.1%
Colorectal 64.1% 69.5%

Food Access 7

City National
Low Access 63.2% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 15.3% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 8

Ratio of Patients to Providers 230:1

General Stats 1

8th most populous city in the Southeast, population 498,715

Racial Composition 2

50% identify as Black, which is more than three times the national average

Leading Causes of Death 3

Heart Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 30.1% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 5.1% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 3.1% 3.0%

Avoidable Heart Disease and Stroke Deaths per 100K 4

Hispanic 26.0
White 28.5
Black 97.9
Asian/Pacific Islander 17.0

Cardiovascular Disease Deaths per 100K 4

Hispanic 201.1
White 302.8
Black 521.3
Asian/Pacific Islander 181.9

Prostate Cancer Incidence Rates per 100K 4

Ethnicity County National
Black 194.3 168.6
White 117.8 79.0
Hispanic 142.6 83.9

Breast Cancer Incidence Rates per 100K 5

Ethnicity County National
All Races 131.4 126.8
Black 129.1 124.3
White 136.3 132.6
Hispanic 148.7 95.4

Cancer Deaths per 100K 6

Ethnicity County National
All Races 145.2 152.4
Black 181.2 173.6

Cancer Screening Rates 7

Type County National
Mammography 78.8% 78.1%
Colorectal 64.5% 69.5%
Cervical 87.9% 79.9%

Food Access 8

City National
Low Access 59.2% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 7.7% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 9

Ratio of Patients to Providers 330:1

General Stats 1

  • 2nd most populous city in the Southeast, population of 874,579
  • 39% identify as Black, which is more than double the national average

Leading Causes of Death 3

  • Heart Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 31.5% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 5.4% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 2.9% 3.0%

Cancer Screening Rates 4

Type County National
Mammography 77.2% 78.1%
Colorectal 67.9% 69.5%
Cervical 87.6% 79.9%

Prostate Cancer Incidence Rates per 100K 5

Ethnicity County National
Black 202.0 168.6
White 125.3 99.9
Asian/Pacific Islander 47.5 54.7
Hispanic 110.6 83.9

Breast Cancer Incidence Rates per 100K 6

Ethnicity County National
Black 136.2 124.3
White 155.1 132.6
Asian/Pacific Islander 73.9 97.6
Hispanic 72.3 95.4

Maternal Mortality per 100K Live Births 7

Black 20.8
All Others 11.5

New Diabetes Diagnosis (Adults) 8

Ethnicity County National
All Races 8.0% 6.2%

Food Access 9

City National
Low Access 67.2% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 7.7% 10.7%

General Stats 1

3rd most populous city in the United States, population of 2,746,388

Racial Composition 2

  • 41% identify as Black, which is nearly three times the national average
  • 30% identify as Latino or Hispanic which is almost double the national average

Leading Causes of Death 3

Heart Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 31.5% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 6% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 3.4% 3.0%

Colon and Rectum Cancer Incidence Rates per 100K 5

Ethnicity County National
Black 50.8 42.9
All Races 42.2 38.0

Cancer Deaths per 100K 6

Ethnicity City National
All Races 156.5 152.4
Black 204.4 173.6

Cancer Screening Rates 7

Type County National
Mammography 75.7% 78.1%
Colorectal 61.9% 69.5%
Cervical 82.7% 79.9%

Breast Cancer Rates per 100K 8

Ethnicity County National
White 131.1 95.7
Black 129.1 124.3
Asian/Pacific Islander 101.2 97.6
Hispanic 148.7 95.4

Food Access 9

County National
Low Access 59.2% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 13.8% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 10

Ratio of Patients to Providers 340:1

General Stats 1

20th most populous city in the United States, population 689,545

Racial Composition 2

  • 46% identify as Black, which is triple the national average
  • 43% identify as White, compared to 76%, which is the national average

Leading Causes of Death 3

Heart Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 27.5% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 4.8% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 3.0% 3.0%

Avoidable Heart Disease and Stroke Deaths per 100K 4

Hispanic 25.1
White 22.9
Black 144.3
Asian/Pacific Islander 20.0
American Indian/Alaska Native 3.0

Cardiovascular Disease Deaths per 100K 4

Hispanic 245.3
White 221.9
Black 650.6
Asian/Pacific Islander 229.5
American Indian/Alaska Native 121.1

Cancer Deaths per 100K 5

Ethnicity County National
All Races 149.5 152.4
Black 194.5 173.6

Cancer Screening Rates 6

Type County National
Mammography 75.7% 78.1%
Colorectal 69.4% 69.5%

Food Access 7

County National
Low Access 32.6% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 13.5% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 8

Ratio of Patients to Providers 190:1

General Stats 1

19th most populous city in the United States, population 715,522

Racial Composition:

27.9% identify as Latino/Hispanic, which is almost double the national average 75% identify as White

Leading Causes of Death 3

Cancer and Heart Disease

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 24.3% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 4.6% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 2.4% 3.0%

Avoidable Heart Disease and Stroke Deaths per 100K 5

Hispanic 50.0
White 40.2
Black 99.3
Asian/Pacific Islander 27.2
American Indian/Alaska Native 48.9

Cardiovascular Disease Deaths per 100K 6

Hispanic 321.9
White 336.2
Black 510.6
Asian/Pacific Islander 226.9
American Indian/Alaska Native 428.1

Cancer Deaths per 100K 7

Ethnicity County National
Black 399.0 173.6
White 415.9 157.2
American Indian/Alaska Native 201.7 101.2
Asian/Pacific Islander 296.6 95.6
Hispanic 374.6 109.7

Cancer Screening Rates 8

Type City National
Mammography 70.0% 78.1%
Colorectal 60.4% 69.5%

Food Access 9

City National
Low Access 52.5% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 6.8% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 10

Ratio of Patients to Providers 190:1

General Stats 1

Most populous city in Michigan, population 639,111

Racial Composition 2

84% identify as Black, which is more than five times the national average

Leading Causes of Death 3

Heart Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 39.5% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 8.2% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 4.5% 3.0%

Newly Diagnosed Diabetes per 1,000 5

Age Group County National
Adults 10.2 6.2

Cancer Deaths per 100K 6

Ethnicity County National
Black 193.6 173.6
White 168.4 157.2
American Indian/Alaska Native 125.4 101.2
Hispanic 134.1 109.7

Cancer Screening Rates 7

Type County National
Mammography 73.1% 78.1%
Colorectal 66.2% 69.5%

Food Access 8

County National
Low Access 48.8% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 34.9% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 9

Ratio of Patients to Providers 330:1

General Stats 1

2nd most populous city in Tennessee, population 633,104

Racial Composition 2

68% identify as Black, which is nearly five times the national average

Leading Causes of Death 3

Heart Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 39.1% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 7.2% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 4.3% 3.0%

Diabetes Diagnoses 5

Age Group County National
Adults 11.0% 8.3%

Avoidable Heart Disease and Stroke Deaths per 100K 6

Hispanic 30.8
White 68.5
Black 130.8
Asian/Pacific Islander 36.0
American Indian/Alaska Native 51.0

Cancer Deaths per 100K 7

Ethnicity County National
Black 200.4 173.6
White 154.8 157.2
Asian/Pacific Islander 99.0 95.6
Hispanic 84.8 109.7

Cancer Screening Rates 8

Type County National
Mammography 73.5% 78.1%
Colorectal 62.7% 69.5%

Food Access 9

County National
Low Access 75.1% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 20.7% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 10

Ratio of Patients to Providers 670:1

General Stats 1

2nd most populous city in Texas, population 1,434,625

Racial Composition 2

64% identify as Latino or Hispanic, which is almost four times the national average

Leading Causes of Death 3

Heart Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 32.0% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 6.6% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 3.0% 3.0%

Maternal Mortality per 100K Live Births 5

Black 53.73
White 24.53
All Others 7.85

Newly Diagnosed Diabetes per 1,000 6

Age Group County National
Adults 10.6 6.2

Cancer Deaths per 100K 7

Ethnicity County National
Black 171.6 173.6
White 154.8 157.2
Asian/Pacific Islander 85.1 95.6
Hispanic 132.6 109.7

Cancer Screening Rates 8

Type County National
Mammography 71.9% 78.1%
Colorectal 61.1% 69.5%

Food Access 9

County National
Low Access 75.0% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 15.6% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 10

Ratio of Patients to Providers 530:1

General Stats 1

2nd largest city in Missouri, population 301,578

Racial Composition 2

  • 45% identify as Black, which is three times the national average
  • 45% identify as White

Leading Causes of Death 3

Heart Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 31.9% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 6.8% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 3.4% 3.0%

Breast Cancer Incidence Rates per 100K 5

Ethnicity County National
All Races 151.3 126.8
White 157.0 132.6
Black 143.0 124.3

Cancer Deaths per 100K 6

Ethnicity County National
All Races 154.7 152.4
Black 201.0 173.6

Cancer Screening Rates 7

Type County National
Mammography 74.6% 78.1%
Colorectal 71.0% 69.5%

Food Access 8

County National
Low Access 48.9% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 17.4% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 9

Ratio of Patients to Providers 330:1

General Stats 1

Most populous city in Pennsylvania, population 1,603,797

Racial Composition 2

45% identify as Black, which is triple the national average

Leading Causes of Death 3

Heart Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease (Adults) 4

Condition City National
High Blood Pressure 34.5% 26.6%
Coronary Heart Disease 6.4% 4.6%
Previous Stroke 4.1% 3.0%

Diabetes Diagnoses 5

Age Group County National
Adults 11.8% 8.3%

Cancer Deaths per 100K 6

Ethnicity County National
Black 199.3 173.6
White 174.4 157.2
Asian/Pacific Islander 99.5 95.6
Hispanic 116.0 109.7

Cancer Screening Rates 7

Type County National
Mammography 78.7% 78.1%
Colorectal 71.8% 69.5%

Food Access 8

County National
Low Access 24.4% 17.0%
SNAP Food Program 27.6% 10.7%

Mental Health Services 9

Ratio of Patients to Providers 370:1

Evaluation efforts led by the

University of Michigan

Every person deserves the opportunity for a full and healthy life. But this is not the reality for many people of color and others whose health suffers because of social factors beyond their control. Poverty, income disparities, food insecurity, and the lack of healthy housing have significant implications for health risk and the ability to attain quality health access and care.

Arif Kamal, MD, MBA, MHS, ACS Chief Patient Officer,
Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, FAHA, AHA Chief Medical Officer, and
Robert A. Gabbay, MD, PhD, ADA Chief Science & Medical Officer.