Black or African American (also known as African Americans, African-Americans): A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1997/10/30/97-28653/revisions-to-the-standards-for-the classification-of-federal-data-on-race-and-ethnicity). In the United State

NIH MeSH · D001741Named Groups

Black or African American

Also known asAfrican Americans · African-Americans · African American · American, African · African-American · Afro-American · Afro American · Afro-Americans · Afro Americans · Black Americans · American, Black · Black American

Definition

A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1997/10/30/97-28653/revisions-to-the-standards-for-the classification-of-federal-data-on-race-and-ethnicity). In the United States it is used for classification of federal government data on race and ethnicity. Race and ethnicity terms are self-identified social construct and may include terms outdated and offensive in MeSH to assist users who are interested in retrieving comprehensive search results for studies such as in longitudinal studies.

MeSH classification

  • M01.270.500
  • M01.686.372.500
  • M01.686.477.625.594.594

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Common questions about Black or African American

What does Black or African American mean in medicine?
A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1997/10/30/97-28653/revisions-to-the-standards-for-the classification-of-federal-data-on-race-and-ethnicity). In the United States it is used for classification of federal government data on race and ethnicity. Race and ethnicity terms are self-identified social construct and may include terms outdated and offensive in MeSH to assist users who are interested in retrieving comprehensive search results for studies such as in longitudinal studies. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Black or African American known by any other names?
Yes. Black or African American is also referred to as African Americans, African-Americans, African American, American, African in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Black or African American sit in the medical classification?
Black or African American falls under the broader medical category "Named Groups" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: M01.270.500, M01.686.372.500, M01.686.477.625.594.594). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Black or African American?
For a plain-language explanation of Black or African American - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Black or African American" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D001741) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗