Recently, there has been a lot of information on the status of women’s reproductive health in the United States. Little attention has been paid to the lack of health equity for Black women. In the Journal of Women’s Health, Vol. 30, No. 2, writers Juanita J. Chin, Iman K. Martin, and Nicole Redmond not only discuss the historical basis of this inequity but they also stress the need for health equity.
Historically, research shows that Black women have been subjugated to systematic oppression, bias, and inadequate treatment. Further evidence shows that Black women in the United States have experienced a racial difference in treatment. Discrimination, segregation, and laws have suppressed Blacks and women in the United States.
The authors also believe that you cannot discuss this issue without considering the impact on physical health. Mental and physical health are intertwined. Here are some of the physical issues presented in the article:
- Weathering Obesity
- Cardiovascular disease
- Bleeding and blood disorder
- Maternal morbidity and mortality
- Mental Health
- Maternal mental health
Since 1995, Boston University Stone Epidemiology Center Black Women’s Health Study has been investigating why Black women have higher rates of certain illnesses. These illnesses include lupus, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke as well as breast cancer at a young age. If we as a society are serious about improving disparities in the health of Black women, then we need to remove the obstructions to equal health care.
Racism and stress are examples of obstacles that interfere in the pursuit of optimum health care for Black women. We must also look at and deal with race and gender. In addition, we need to explore ways of intervention and prevention. Serious attention should be given to creating equity and reproductive justice that are more in line with human rights.
by Annie Kate Jacobs – Social Justice Member at Large