According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, black women living in the United States are nearly 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than non-Hispanic white women.
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death for all women living in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, black women in the United States are at even higher risk of dying from heart disease than white women, and they die at a younger age.
Why is there such a huge difference in heart health when comparing black and white women in the United States?
The answer is not simple and is likely the result of a number of factors.
Black women have the highest rates of high blood pressure, obesity and physical inactivity of all demographic groups in the United States, according to a Mayo Clinic Health System report. High blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity are all known risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, including but not limited to heart attack and stroke.
But risk factors alone don't tell the whole story when it comes to understanding the wide disparities in heart health among Black women. A key factor is socioeconomic status, with Black American women often experiencing high levels of poverty and reduced access to quality health care.
In 2022, 10% of Black Americans will have no health insurance, compared to 6.6% of whites, according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Limited access to health care and financial insecurity can clearly lead to an inability to pay for medications and reduce preventive measures such as regular doctor visits, ultimately contributing to heart health disparities. may worsen.
Structural and systemic racism also plays a significant role in perpetuating health disparities among Black women. Dr. Leandris Liburd, director of the CDC's Office of Health Equity, said in a one-on-one interview: These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. These are not under our control. Black Americans often lack access to critical resources. Things like safe neighborhoods, insurance, and healthy foods that perpetuate health disparities. This cumulatively increases risk. ”
Exposure to stress can increase blood pressure and cause inflammation, both of which are well-known risk factors for heart disease.
Racial bias and implicit bias among health care professionals may also play an important role in widening disparities among Black women. According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of Black women between the ages of 18 and 49 report having at least one of seven negative medical experiences.
A study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine demonstrated that black patients are 40% less likely to receive medication for acute pain from a healthcare provider compared to white patients.
Addressing these disparities will require a multifaceted approach, and it likely starts with Black women. Tara Robinson, founder of the Black Heart Association, said in a one-on-one interview: “Black women need to stop putting others before themselves. This goes back to the days of slavery in this country and is deeply ingrained in our culture. We need to stop internalizing our sadness and stress. You need to stop. It's totally okay to put yourself first. This mindset will ultimately help you eat healthier, exercise, and visit your health care provider.”
In addition to lifestyle modifications, policy changes to address systemic inequalities in access to health must also be a priority for government officials. It aims to expand health care services in underserved communities and provide affordable medication, testing, and treatment options to marginalized communities that are often underserved in the United States. means. This will undoubtedly improve the health disparities that many black women face in this country.
Finally, providing health care providers with education on implicit bias training so that they can provide more culturally sensitive care, especially for minorities such as Black women, will help address the clear disparities in cardiovascular health. would be of great help in reducing.
February is Heart Health Month, and the disparities Black women face when it comes to cardiovascular health remind us all that we must do more to protect and care for those we serve. It gently reminds me.
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