Is ED Hiding a Bigger Health Risk? What Black Men Need to Know

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is significantly underreported in the United States, and this trend is even more pronounced in the Black community. While about 70 percent of ED cases go unreported nationwide, cultural factors and historical mistrust of the healthcare system exacerbate this statistic for Black men, leading to delayed or avoided treatment. Understanding these barriers is essential to improving healthcare outcomes and fostering open, stigma-free dialogue on ED in Black communities. Cultural Stigma and Mistrust in the Healthcare System In many communities, including the Black community, conversations about sexual health, particularly issues like ED, are often seen as taboo. “It is often thought that discussions of sexual health and potential problems in the bedroom can lead to judgment or shame by partners, or even be seen as a weakness. This perception is often reinforced by family values, religion, and the expectation of stoicism. These ‘judgments’ often leave men avoiding treatment without consideration of the larger issues at play with ED, such as diabetes or hypertension,” Dr. Ashwin Sharma, Medical Communications Manager at ZipHealth and MedExpress tells BlackDoctor.org. Furthermore, mistrust of the healthcare system remains a significant issue. Systemic racism, racial biases, and inequities have long affected Black Americans’ access to...