Tobacco-related health inequalities among Black Americans: A narrative review of structural and historical influences

Abstract

We conducted a narrative literature review to examine contributing factors of disparities in tobacco usage and outcomes affecting Black Americans. We propose potential solutions that can be used to effectively address these disparities. We identified historical factors; socioeconomic factors; targeted marketing/advertising; the influence of racism/discrimination; neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage; and mass incarceration. We call for more thorough examinations of these factors as a key element of tobacco-focused research and interventions to eliminate the disproportionate burdens faced by Black Americans. We advocate for greater emphases on the impacts of personal and structural racism on tobacco usage and outcomes affecting Black Americans.

Keywords:

• Smoking
• tobacco
• Black Americans
• racism
• discrimination

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Funding

This study was not funded.

Data availability statement

N/A, this manuscript is a literature review.