Seizures and Epilepsy in African Americans

Seizures and epilepsy occur in 2.8 million Americans and 65 million people worldwide. In the United States, about 375,000 African Americans at a time and over 20,000 each year are diagnosed with epilepsy. 

Some people are at greater risk of developing epilepsy for different reasons. For example, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that people with a history of epilepsy or active epilepsy (being treated for seizures) were more likely to be of white or black ethnic backgrounds or have a lower income level than others.

There are also differences in where people are likely to be first diagnosed, where they get care or what type of care they may receive. Some of these differences may relate to issues such as:

• Different perspectives or beliefs about what seizures and epilepsy are.
• Negative views of epilepsy that may cause or lead to fear or the perception that someone is "different," "bad" or "not normal."
• Views about how to treat seizures and epilepsy and the role of nontraditional practices or providers may influence how people use health care.

The Epilepsy Foundation has been stressing the importance of understanding epilepsy, getting the best care possible, finding new therapies and preventing the rare but critical issue of sudden death in people with epilepsy. We need to have this conversation in ALL communities, and I ask everyone to #DareTo Learn More about epilepsy in African Americans. This is National African-American History Month. Let’s reach out and talk about it!

Learn more about

• Epilepsy in diverse communities 
• Epilepsy in African Americans
• Our programs to reach out to and promote inclusion in African-American communities

Help us spread the word and #DareTo Learn More!

Best wishes,

Patty Osborne Shafer RN, MN
Associate Editor/Community Manager