Melissa Harris-Perry   |  March 10, 2013

Is race a factor in your risk of death from illness?

Melissa Harris-Perry runs through quick facts on race and health to prepare you for a pop quiz on health disparities in America.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> get your pencils out, nerdland. it's time for a pop quiz . there's one question. first, you need a few facts to help you with your answer. ready? first, babies born to african-american mothers are more likely to die than any other race. death rates for african-american babies are nearly twice the national average. did you know african- americans and native americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as white americans and that african- americans with diabetes are more likely to suffer complications like renal failure and amputations of the legs and feet. did you know african- americans are the racial group with the highest rate of hiv infections . they account for 44% of all new hiv infections among adults and adolescence. they represent 13% of the population. did you know african-american men and women are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than white males even though only 6% of african- americans have heart disease . did you know african-american women are less likely to develop breast cancer than white women , but 40% more likely to die from it. they are most likely to die from breast cancer than any racial group . now, here is the quiz. do that he has disparities among african- americans exist because there is something broken about their bodies or because there's something broken about their lives? pencils down. i have guests at my table who are