Navigating Unique Challenges for Equitable Public Health Outcomes

3 Strategies for Improving Healthcare Access

As we know, Black women experience significant health disparities due to various factors, ranging from socioeconomic factors to racial bias. Therefore, achieving optimal public health outcomes for Black women requires that we take a critical look at the unique challenges Black women face when accessing healthcare. 

Whether it is limited access to healthcare facilities or stigmas surrounding healthcare issues, there is so much that we can do to address the barriers that have contributed to disparities in healthcare access. As these outcomes have persisted for generations, it is time that we address these issues through targeted interventions that ensure Black women have access to the care they deserve.

That is why today, we will delve into the specific obstacles Black women encounter and offer strategies to empower them in obtaining the healthcare they deserve.

Understanding the Barriers to Equitable Healthcare

Barriers to healthcare access are not only a detriment to the health of Black women but can be a primary contributor to their death. Research has shown that the more serious the medical needs, the lower the survival rate for Black women compared to every other racial group (Cerezo et al., 2023). Healthcare barriers can be for an amalgamation of reasons, but one important one to consider is socioeconomic factors. Economic disparities can limit Black women's access to healthcare due to inadequate insurance coverage, making it harder to afford necessary medical care. 

Even when Black women regularly seek medical care, their illnesses are more likely to go undiagnosed (Cerezo et al., 2023). Unfortunately, this is a barrier that many Black women know all too well. Due to racial bias within healthcare systems, research has shown that healthcare providers may ask the wrong questions or misinterpret data, which can delay diagnoses and lead to suboptimal treatment for Black women (Kalia, 2022). 

However, we cannot ignore how cultural norms and stigmas can contribute to the reluctance of Black women to seek medical help. There is a long-held mistrust of the healthcare system due to historical injustices such as the experimental operation on enslaved Black women and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Understandably, a history of unethical medical practices has left a legacy of mistrust in the healthcare system, influencing Black women's healthcare decisions today.

3 Strategies for Improving Healthcare Access

Despite the unique barriers Black women face to accessing equitable healthcare, much can be done to overcome them. Here are three strategies to get started. 

Strategy 1. Community Outreach and Education

One of the most powerful strategies for engaging with Black women is partnering with organizations in their communities. Through informative workshops, seminars, and community health fairs, you can work with local organizations to amplify your community outreach. By providing accessible information on preventive care, screenings, and available resources, you can make a meaningful impact.

Strategy 2. Culturally Competent Care

Another strategy that cannot be ignored is the importance of healthcare providers being culturally sensitive and aware of Black women's unique experiences and challenges. Culturally competent care is especially important for those not Persons of Color but still relevant for those who are. If you have yet to gain the lived experience of the group you are working with, you must do your due diligence to educate yourself on their unique challenges. By doing so, you can ensure you are not unintentionally harming while attempting to provide equitable care. 

Strategy 3: Telehealth and Digital Solutions

With the advancement of technology within the past decade, an effective strategy to implement in your practice is leveraging technology to provide virtual healthcare options. Telehealth and digital solutions are particularly important in areas with limited access to physical healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers can help bridge the gap through technology and provide timely care.

Improving healthcare access for Black women is a critical step towards achieving more significant public health outcomes. Working towards a more equitable healthcare system requires us to address the unique barriers Black women face. By doing so, we can ensure everyone receives the healthcare they deserve.

Reference

Cerezo, A., Ching, S., & Ramirez, A. (2023). Healthcare Access and Health-Related Cultural Norms in a Community Sample of Black and Latinx Sexual Minority Gender Expansive Women, Journal of Homosexuality, 70(5), 782-805, https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2021.1999123 

Kalia, D. (2022). Decolonizing wellness: A QTBIPOC-centered guide to escape, the diet trap, heal your self-image, and achieve body liberation. BenBella Books.