I definitely think it’s diet. When I’ve looked at the demographics, it doesn’t appear to me that the death rates by race weren’t too far off from the democratic makeup of the areas in general.
I seriously believe obesity, diabetes an high blood pressure is the biggest factor. Blacks do have higher numbers of this, but I don’t necessarily think it has to do with poor HC, but poor choices. In rural areas, you will find whites have the same bad diet choices. The worst hit area in GA is a rural area but it has one of the the highest level of diabetes, and chronic health problems in the state, white and black. The standard American diet is loaded with carbs which leads to all kind of health problems, throw in processed food and it’s a timebomb
PS, I think some of this outrage is ginned up to push for universal healthcare and “orange man is a racist”. They are already doing it to the GA governor.