ABSTRACT
This chapter examines and frame studies on young African American men’s health disparities. It explains the role of masculinity in African American young adult men, to synthesize physical and mental health outcomes for African American young adult men, and explores their healthcare access and utilization. The chapter addresses the intersection of the issues with a critical review of the literature associated with the linkages between African American young adulthood and health disparities. It focuses on the health of young adult African American males and the health disparities with which they are challenged. Despite the fact that there are similarities among young adulthood, emerging adulthood, and adolescence, on the critical issues, young adult African American men often fare worse than adolescents on health indicators. Young adulthood is a critical period in which young people take many paths to adulthood, especially African Americans. Research suggests that African American communities are the most vulnerable to the effects of social inequalities on overall health.
