African American nurses: a coalition for African American health care

African Americans have the highest death rate from the two leading causes of death in America. This group of Americans also has the highest rate among the under insured/uninsured and poverty stricken. As such, a large segment of this population uses health care practices that may not include the resources of the conventional health care system. African American nurses, as a coalition to improve health in the African American population, can forge a new front in the reorientation of health and health care in this population. Such activities include surveying the community for the more prevalent illnesses and offer in-community programs which address health and health care problems, and develop in-community programs which target children and adolescents.