A coalition of 150,000 African American churches is calling on Congress to address the alarming health disparities facing Black communities in the United States. The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) cites recent studies showing that Black Americans experienced 1.6 million excess deaths compared to white Americans over the past two decades, not including COVID-19 fatalities.
NBCI President Rev. Anthony Evans is demanding a $2.25 trillion investment over 10 years starting in 2025 to tackle this crisis. “The Black Church must stand up and use its 27.7 million votes to protect the health of Black people in this 2024 election,” Evans stated.
The NBCI, along with partners CME Outfitters and the American Clinical Health Disparity Commission, has proposed a comprehensive National Black Health Agenda. Dr. Joseph L. Webster, Sr., Clinical Director of NBCI’s American Clinical Health Disparity Commission, called the agenda “morally correct” and “fiscally responsible.”
The initiative builds on decades of research into health inequities, including the 1985 Heckler Report. NBCI leaders argue that racism is the primary driver of these disparities and that concrete action, not just words, is needed to address the issue.
The Black Church is prepared to leverage its political power in the 2024 election to ensure this health crisis receives proper attention. As Rev. Evans emphasized, “We will vote according to our health interests irrespective of political party.”
