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Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman told CNN that higher rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes among Black Americans stem from the daily stress of racism, including being called the N-word.
He criticized what he called America’s “original sin” of hatred toward Black and Brown people. Then he made the following claim to the panel:
“You can’t be calm about this! I’m a black man in America! The reason why heart disease– Listen to what I’m saying. The reason why heart disease and cancer and obesity and diabetes are bigger in the black community is because of the stress we carry from having to deal with being called the N-word directly or indirectly every day.”
Bowman then reprimanded former Trump White House official Marc Short, claiming: “If your colleagues would listen and try to learn and engage and grow and stop being so hateful, we could have a better country. But unfortunately, we’re still here.”
NEW: Jamaal Bowman says black people suffer from heart disease and obesity because they carry the stress of being called the N word every day.
“The reason why heart disease and cancer and obesity and diabetes are bigger in the black community…”
“Is because of the stress we… pic.twitter.com/GOEUmhBX3g
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 26, 2025
According to a 2023 U.S. Health Department study, Black students in grades 9–12 were 50% more likely to be obese than their non-Hispanic white peers, while Black adults were 30% more likely to be obese. Additional data shows that Black Americans also face higher rates of diet-related health issues: they are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and nearly twice as likely to die from complications related to the disease. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among Black adults, with rates about 20% higher than those of white Americans.
Studies have also found disparities in diet quality. On average, Black Americans consume fewer fruits, vegetables, and whole grains than recommended, while intake of sodium, added sugars, and processed foods tends to be higher.
Bowman left Congress in January after losing the Democratic primary to George Latimer, who later won the seat in the 2024 election.
