Stroke in Black Americans.

Black Americans bear a disproportionate stroke burden in the United States compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Poor stroke awareness, higher vascular risk factor burden, limited access to care, mistrust of the medical system, and inequities in diagnostic testing and treatment usage may account for some of the disparity. In addition, blacks have historically been under-represented in observational studies and clinical trials of stroke prevention and treatment. Therefore, our knowledge regarding stroke in black Americans is somewhat limited. This article provides an update on developments in our understanding regarding stroke in this at-risk population.