Black Women’s Health Equity: Why it Matters and How to Create Change
Research for post done by our Advocacy and Human Rights Law Intern Alexis Akolade
The Reality of Inequality in Black Women’s Healthcare
Black women face some of the highest health risks in the United States, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. Research shows that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. This devastating statistic reveals how deep the disparities in our healthcare system run.
These racial disparities are not rooted in biology. The stem from a healthcare system shaped by racial bias, unequal access to resources, and a long history of discrimination. From pain management to diagnostic decisions, Black women’s health concerns are often dismissed or minimized, leading to delayed treatment and preventable harm.
Too often, Black women are gaslit, silenced, or invalidated when they speak about their symptoms. When doctors downplay their pain or label them as “emotional” or “exaggerating” it’s not just disrespectful, it can be dangerous, even life-threatening.
Until healthcare systems actively confront bias and rebuild trust, health equity for Black women will remain out of reach.
Why This Issue Matters
Health inequities show up in every doctor’s visit, diagnosis, and treatment decision. For Black women, these disparities lead to gaps in care across three major areas:
- Pain management
- Specialist referrals
- Treatment for chronic diseases such as heart disease.
These outcomes reveal an issue deeper than individual doctors: The system was not designed with Black women in mind. Generations of medical bias and structural racism have created barriers that continue to affect how Black women experience care today.
This isn’t just a matter of unfair treatment; it’s a public health crisis. When Black women’s health equity is neglected, communities lose mothers, daughters, and leaders whose lives could have been saved through compassionate, evidence-based care.
At the Next Generation John Foundation (NGJ), we believe that everyone has a fundamental right to respectful, informed, and equitable care. True healthcare justice means listening to patients, valuing their experiences, and creating systems that protect, not endanger, their lives.
Know Your Rights in Health Care
Every time you visit a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital, you are protected by federal health care rights that ensure fair and respectful treatment. These rights aren’t privileges you must earn, they are legal protections designed to prevent discrimination in health care and to uphold your dignity as a patient.
You have the right to:
- Speak without being interrupted
- Have your pain and symptoms taken seriously
- Understand your diagnosis and all treatment options
- Receive equal treatment regardless of race, class, or background
These protections are grounded in civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Both laws prohibit racial discrimination in healthcare settings and guarantee that every person, regardless if background, has access to medical care.
Knowing your rights helps you recognize when something isn’t fair, and empowers you to speak up. Health equity for Black women begins with awareness, and awareness starts with understanding the laws that protect you.
How to Advocate for Yourself
Advocating for yourself in healthcare settings can be challenging, especially when facing medical bias or feeling unheard. But knowing how to speak up for your needs is a vital part of patient advocacy and protecting your health care rights. With preparation and confidence, you can ensure that your concerns are acknowledged and respected.
Here’s how to strengthen your voice and take charge of your care:
- Bring a support person. A trusted friend or family member can take notes, ask clarifying questions, and help you remember details from your visit.
- Document everything. Keep a health journal to track symptoms, doctor visits, medications, and treatment plans. Written records strengthen your credibility and help identify patterns in your care.
- Ask specific questions.
· “Can you please explain this treatment plan in a way I can understand?”
· “What are the potential side effects?”
· “Are there alternatives to this treatment?”
- Request your medical records. You have a legal right to review and make copies of your health information. Accessing your records can ensure accuracy and transparency.
- Speak up if you feel dismissed. You can calmly say: “I’d like this concern noted in my medical record.” If the issue continues, ask to speak with the patient advocate or clinic manager.
Remember: you have the right to respectful and equitable care. You can always change doctors if your needs aren’t being met. Health equity for Black women depends on empowered patients who know their worth, assert their rights, and demand fair treatment.
What’s being done?
Across the country, advocates, lawmakers, and community leaders are pushing for policies that center Black women’s health equity and address long-standing racial disparities in healthcare. These efforts aim to make the healthcare system more equitable, accountable, and responsive to the need of Black women.
One major policy initiative is the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, a comprehensive package of bills designed to improve outcomes for Black mothers and families. The legislation seeks to:
- Expand access to community-based and culturally competent care.
- Fund bias training for healthcare providers.
- Address the social and economic factors that contribute to poor maternal health outcomes.
This legislation is critical, but it’s only part of the solution. Rea systemic change requires:
1. Raising awareness about healthcare bias and racial disparities
2. Holding providers and institutions accountable for equitable treatment
3. Driving action from the local level up to policymakers and community leaders
When communities, healthcare professionals, and policymakers work together, we can build a system that values every life equally. A system that truly protects and uplifts Black women’s health.
How You Can Get Involved
Creating health equity for Black women takes more than awareness, it requires collective action. Every voice, story, and community effort contributes to lasting change. Whether you’re a patient, ally, or advocate, there are meaningful ways to make a difference.
Here’s how you can help move the movement forward:
- Share your story. Personal experiences highlight how healthcare bias and discrimination impact real lives. Storytelling raises awareness and inspires systemic change.
- Support community health organizations. Donate or volunteer with groups that center Black women’s health advocacy and culturally competent care.
- Educate others. Conversations about healthcare rights and equity – whether in your workplace, classroom, or local community – can help shift perspectives and policies.
- Connect with NGJ. Join the Next Generation John Foundation’s “Know your rights in Health Care” campaign to access resources, advocacy tools, and opportunities to take action.
True equity in healthcare starts at the community level. Together we can help ensure that black women’s health is not treated as secondary, but as a national priority that shapes the future of public health.
About the Next Generation John Foundation
The Next Generation John Foundation (NGJ) is dedicated to promoting health equity, housing stability, and human rights for all. We believe every person deserves to live with dignity and access to safe, equitable care.
Learn more about our advocacy work and initiatives at:
https://www.nextgenerationjohn.org/blog
