Black women in the US face many challenges when it comes to getting the correct healthcare they deserve. This issue has been an ongoing situation for decades. The healthcare system has failed black women and had used them as test subjects without their permission. A very famous example is Henrietta Lacks who had her cells removed without her consent and then used for medical research. This horrific incident isn’t just about how black women are treated in healthcare it is also about the continuous racism that they have faced their entire lives. Another huge example is Serena Williams and what she had gone through during her pregnancy. She had almost died after giving birth because the healthcare providers had been ignoring the medical concerns she had. There has been studies shown that black women’s pain is quickly dismissed and not taken seriously at all. Maternal health for black women is also one of the most awful things that is dealt with. Black women are three to four more likely to die from pregnancy issues than white women. Heart disease is also the number one cause of death in black women and white women are given way more of an effective treatment for it. Black women are not taken seriously and healthcare providers often believe that they are just making up their symptoms. This then ends up leading to treatments being delayed and misdiagnosing. Some healthcare providers also still to this day believe black women have higher pain tolerances than white women and don’t help them as much as they would help a white woman.
Mental health has always been a huge issue for me in my life and I am so very grateful for the care that I had been provided with from my therapist. I have never had to question or feel distrust from any of my healthcare providers and to know that black women struggle with this will never not frustrate me. I am beyond disgusted with this situation and would do anything in my power for it to change. Mental health for black women is completely overlooked and most doctors don’t give them the help they need at all. Depression is underestimated and usually goes untreated for black women. They are quickly dismissed and convinced that nothing is wrong with them. Black women are also more likely to have this unfair treatment over any other group in the US. Many black women also avoid healthcare completely because of the distrust and racism they may face.
This is an issue that has been going on for way too long and needs to stop now. Black women should feel safe and when going to any sort of healthcare provider and they should be given the proper care they deserve. This problem needs to be known and healthcare providers need to be held accountable for their racism and mistreatment towards black women. There should be no reason for a black woman to go into a doctors office and be looked at any different than a white woman. Healthcare providers need to take a step back and recognize the bias that they have and do something about it now.
The struggles black women face in healthcare needs to come to an end along with the ongoing racism they face. From misdiagnoses to not even having the help that they need during pregnancy, the challenges that they face are extremely unfair and terrifying. The healthcare systems need to improve and give black women the respect that they deserve. This isn’t just about being better about diagnosing it means that the racism needs to stop. Black women deserve to live safe lives and never worry about a doctor not providing for them. I will fight for this issue and never stop until something is done.
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