The Hidden Harm: Black Women in Healthcare and the interconnected challenges we face.
Exploring The Parallels of Risk
The relationship between Black Americans and the institutions meant to protect our well-being is complicated, to say the least. Two of the most critical examples lie within health care and law enforcement. While police interactions that lead to the injury or death of unarmed Black men have generated much deserved national attention, another crisis exists with far less visibility: the experiences of Black women receiving inequitable and inadequate medical care. These issues reveal to us the systemic failures that have a profound impact on our families and communities.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women in the United States are more likely to experience pregnancy-related complications than their counterparts. This is regardless of income or education level. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has highlighted consistent disparities across routine care, access to pre and post-natal health services, and overall pain management. This reflects an alarming pattern of mistrust and disconnection between Black women and the healthcare system.
The Mistrust is Historical
Both the medical and law-enforcement systems are rooted in practices that have contributed to the mistrust within the Black community. In healthcare, history includes forced experimentation, limited access to quality hospitals, and physicians ignoring or minimizing Black patients’ concerns. Although much progress has been made, studies show that these historical experiences still influence how Black women are treated and even how they interact with care providers.
Modern Evidence of Disparities in Healthcare
The NIH has reported that during routine diagnoses and treatments, Black women’s pain is more likely to be underestimated or undertreated by healthcare professionals. This is true not only during pregnancy and childbirth but also in everyday healthcare encounters. For example, Black women have reported extended delays before being diagnosed with serious conditions such as heart complications and autoimmune diseases. CDC researchers have linked these delays to higher mortality rates.
Standard prenatal visits, which are intended to detect and prevent complications, often fall short for Black women. Data show that Black mothers are less likely to be offered certain screenings, and when they voice concerns, their symptoms are dismissed or misinterpreted.
The Barriers of Trust and Communication
Research from both the NIH and CDC points to communication barriers as a key factor in these disparities. Black women often report that their concerns are not taken seriously during consultations. Many describe instances where they were not given clear explanations about treatment options or were discouraged from participating in decision-making.
In a similar way, negative interactions with law enforcement reduce the likelihood of police being viewed as protectors. Families affected by police violence often report feeling unheard and unsupported during investigations and trials.
In both arenas, the loss of trust reduces engagement. Black women may avoid medical appointments, fearing they will not be treated fairly. Black men may avoid contacting police even when they need assistance, believing they might be viewed as suspects. These flight behaviors increase risk, and can quite possibly lead to worse outcomes over time.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The CDC and NIH emphasize that eliminating these disparities requires structural and cultural change, not just individual effort. These institutions suggest:
Bias Training and Education: Ongoing education for healthcare practitioners and law enforcement officers to recognize and mitigate implicit bias.
Inclusive Policy Development: Developing guidelines that center the experiences of Black individuals in both healthcare services and the practice of policing.
Accountability Systems: Transparent data tracking and reporting of maternal health outcomes and police use-of-force incidents, allowing for greater public scrutiny.
Community Engagement: Actively including Black communities, particularly Black women, in conversations about healthcare and policing policies that affect them.
By openly addressing the bias that exists, these institutions are attempting to restore trust. The NIH highlights successful programs where Black maternal health advocates are integrated into caregiving teams, which has improved communication and outcomes. Likewise, community-based policing initiatives designed to build relationships have shown promise in reducing conflict in certain cities. Only time will reveal whether these initiatives will have a long lasting impact, while also proving to be genuine efforts to improve the human experience for all involved.