Negro, Black, Black African, African Caribbean, African American or what? Labelling African origin populations in the health arena in the 21st century. Issue 12 (14th November 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agyemang, Charles; Bhopal, Raj; Bruijnzeels, Marc
• Is Part Of: Journal of epidemiology and community health. Volume 59:Issue 12(2005)
• Page Start: 1014
• Page End: 1018
• Publication Date: 2005-11-14
• Subjects: Negro -- Black -- black African -- African American -- African Caribbean -- terminology; Public health -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1136/jech.2005.035964
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-005X

Abstract

Abstract : Broad terms such as Black, African, or Black African are entrenched in scientific writings although there is considerable diversity within African descent populations and such terms may be both offensive and inaccurate. This paper outlines the heterogeneity within African populations, and discusses the strengths and limitations of the term Black and related labels from epidemiological and public health perspectives in Europe and the USA. This paper calls for debate on appropriate terminologies for African descent populations and concludes with the proposals that (1) describing the population under consideration is of paramount importance (2) the word African origin or simply African is an appropriate and necessary prefix for an ethnic label, for example, African Caribbean or African Kenyan or African Surinamese (3) documents should define the ethnic labels (4) the label Black should be phased out except when used in political contexts.