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Updated: May 1, 2026

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Published on: February 16, 2011
Accepting transitions: African Americans discuss end of life
Cecile N Yancu1, Deborah F Farmer2, Mara J Graves2
1Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Work, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA yancuc@wssu.edu.
Background:
African Americans typically underuse hospice care; this study explores their end of life attitudes.
Methods:
An iterative focus group strategy generated qualitative data using 4 baseline groups and 1 confirmatory focus group recruited from predominantly African American churches. Each group consisted of 8 to 14 adults. Investigators analyzed data for dominant themes, representatives from baseline groups returned to discuss the results.
Results:
A total of 43 African Americans (male: 8 [18.6]; female: 35 [81.4]) participated in initial discussions, with 10 returning for follow-up. The prevailing theme was transitions; with life to death dominating discourse; other themes included curative to palliative care and acceptance of death as inevitable.
Recommendation:
Among African Americans, outreach efforts may be strengthened by reframing the dying process as the product of many transitions and reaching out to faith-based communities.
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