Examining the Frequency of Religious Practices among Hypertensive and Non-Hypertensive Black Men

Although Black men in the United States face high rates of hypertension, the nexus of health and religion remain understudied for this population. The present study analyzes religious variables, such as prayer, Bible reading, and religious meditation, to describe the frequency of these practices among hypertensive and non-hypertensive Black men. This study utilizes data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) 3 - Milwaukee African American Sample series, with 135 Black men (51.1% stating that they had experienced hypertension in the past 12 months). Findings suggest that Black men with a diagnosis of hypertension were significantly more likely to report that they prayed and read religious literature more often than their non-hypertensive counterparts. The results of the present study demonstrate key religious practices that hypertensive Black men might use as a potential coping response to their health condition.