Recognizing and Embracing Historical Experiences Aids Black Women in Securing Their Tomorrows

Recognizing Historical Experiences benefits Black Women in Securing Their Tomorrows

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) and the Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI) have joined forces in a significant endeavour, securing a $2.6 million cooperative agreement funded by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health. This project is urgently needed to address racism and discrimination in healthcare that contribute to health disparities faced by Black women.

The project will focus on reprogramming harmful and inaccurate implicit biases that harm Black women in healthcare. It will also aim to improve culturally tailored distance learning and the use of BWHI's mobile app in prediabetes prevention among Black women.

The alarming statistics highlight the need for this project. In 2018, about 13% of Black women were diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that can often be prevented or controlled with simple changes to diet and exercise. Furthermore, an estimated 55 out of every 100,000 Black women died due to untreated or ignored complications from childbirth in 2020, a rate three times higher than that of white women.

The historical contributions of Black women, such as those in medicine, were not always made willingly. For instance, the personal experience of Henrietta Lacks, known as the "Godmother of Virology and Biotech," saw her cervical cancer cells harvested and replicated without her consent as she lay terminally ill in hospital. Similarly, enslaved patients were experimented upon without anesthesia by Dr. James Marion Sims, the so-called "Father of Modern Gynecology."

Black women continue to face challenges in the healthcare system. They often encounter undertreatment of pain due to their concerns not being taken seriously by health professionals. This is a concerning trend that the project seeks to address.

Robyn Taylor, MBA, is a senior director for health equity at the NACDD, and Angela F. Ford, PhD, MSW, is the chief program officer for the BWHI. These two influential figures are committed to helping Black citizens write a new chapter in American health history, where everyone thrives together.

Undefeated by knowledge of health disparities, Black women persevere and resist. They continue to have faith in their ability to effect change and make critical contributions to their families and communities. The project will help Black women lead healthier lives and contribute to a better future for their families and communities.

In 2021, Black trans women made up most of the 57 trans and gender nonconforming people murdered by hate. This tragic statistic underscores the need for comprehensive and inclusive healthcare initiatives. The project will address this by involving agency workers, clinic staff, healthcare providers, and community workers to bring about equitable and permanent fixes to the disparities faced by Black women.

The cooperative agreement is a significant step towards improving health equity for Black women. By addressing the systemic issues that contribute to health disparities, the project aims to create a healthcare system that values and respects all patients, regardless of their race or gender.