Why Health Equity Requires Hearing Black Voices
4 Ways the VOICES of Black Women Study Can Promote Health Equity
When my grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer in my early teens, I had no idea how impactful this moment would have on my life. My grandmother, who was once filled with life, became a shell of herself after her total laryngectomy. Having her “voice box” removed severely limited her ability to communicate with us. I’m not sure she (or even her healthcare team) fully understood the magnitude of what (literally) not having a voice would do to her quality of life. Unfortunately, she passed away long ago and can no longer share her side of the story.
Two decades later, with a few autoimmune diseases, I realized how deeply important having a voice is, especially regarding healthcare. When the opportunity presented itself to be part of two significant research studies, the All of Us Research Program by the National Institutes of Health and the Million Veterans Program by the Veterans Administration, I quickly chose to participate. For one, I always wonder what my grandmother’s life would have looked like if we had addressed the warning signs of lung cancer earlier. Secondly, I recognize that Black women are often underrepresented in research, especially cancer research. I was joyful when I heard about an initiative to address this issue: the American Cancer Society's VOICES of Black Women study.
What is the VOICES of Black Women Study and Why It Matters for Healthcare Providers?
The VOICES of Black Women study, spearheaded by the American Cancer Society, is not just another research project; it is a monumental effort to enroll 100,000 Black women to understand cancer disparities better and improve health outcomes for future generations. This study is the most extensive behavioral and environmental-focused population study of cancer risk and outcomes in Black women in the United States. Its goal is to uncover the multi-level drivers that contribute to cancer incidence, mortality, and resilience in Black women.
For healthcare providers, understanding and addressing implicit biases in practice is crucial. Black women face the highest death rates and the shortest survival times for most cancers in the U.S. Despite advancements in cancer research, these inequities persist. The VOICES of Black Women study aims to change this by gathering data from Black women between 25 and 55 who come from diverse backgrounds and various income levels who have not (yet) been diagnosed with cancer. The idea is to utilize the study’s findings to tailor interventions for Black women’s unique challenges.
At Enhance Black Women's Health, we aim to help healthcare providers recognize and address implicit biases, ensuring equitable care for Black women. By engaging with studies like VOICES of Black Women, providers can gain deeper insights into Black women's lived experiences, leading to better patient outcomes and a more inclusive healthcare system.
4 Ways the VOICES of Black Women Study Can Promote Health Equity
1. Addressing Healthcare Disparities
It should go without saying that studies aiming to identify the social, environmental, and behavioral factors that contribute to cancer disparities are essential for promoting health equity. By understanding these factors, healthcare providers can develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies sensitive to Black women's needs.
2. Equipping Black Women through Data
Suppose it wasn’t apparent from my grandmother's story. In that case, I sincerely believe that participation in the VOICES of Black Women study equips Black women by giving them a platform to share their experiences—in other words, it ensures that Black women are heard. Therefore, this data can be used to advocate for policy changes and health interventions that directly benefit this community.
3. Taking a Collaborative Approach
I would be remiss if I didn’t address the elephant in the room, which is the understandable mistrust that Black women have with the healthcare system due to the historical egregious experimentations conducted on Black bodies. I genuinely believe we can overcome mistrust because this study involves partnerships with communities of Black women and cross-disciplinary experts in Black women’s health. For this reason, it takes a collaborative approach that wasn’t present during those past atrocities to ensure that the research conducted “does no harm” and that the findings are relevant and actionable.
4. Focusing on Long-term Impact
The piece that makes this study the most impactful is that participants will provide valuable data through periodic surveys over the next 30 years. Through this long-term commitment, the study will be able to capture the evolving experiences and health outcomes of Black women. In doing so, the study can provide a rich data source for future research and interventions.
What’s Your Next Step?
As healthcare providers, your role in this initiative is critical. By bringing awareness to the VOICES of Black Women study, you contribute to a future where Black women receive equitable cancer care. Here’s how you can get involved:
1. Educate and Advocate
Inform your patients about the study and encourage eligible Black women to participate if you feel inclined. Your endorsement can significantly impact enrollment and the success of the study.
2. Participate in Continuous Learning
Stay updated on the findings of the VOICES of Black Women study and integrate these insights into your practice. This will help you provide more personalized and effective care to Black women.
3. Collaborate with Researchers
Engage with the study’s researchers to understand the implications of their findings and dive deeper into its application in clinical settings. The huge benefit of collaboration is that it can contribute to more informed and culturally competent care.
I hope you’ve walked away from today with a deeper understanding that the VOICES of Black Women study is a groundbreaking initiative that promises to transform our understanding of cancer disparities and improve health outcomes for Black women. I probably should have mentioned this earlier, but no one paid me to endorse the study, and I joined the study. While joining the study does require you to share personally identifiable information, the data is de-identified. So, I’m not asking any Black woman to do something that I don’t think would be in their best interest or that I wouldn’t do myself. I genuinely believe that by centering Black women's voices and experiences, we can address the root causes of these disparities. For me, that means joining clinical studies every chance I get!
At Enhance Black Women's Health, we are committed to supporting healthcare providers in this journey toward health equity. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter for the latest updates, insights, and resources to help you deliver equitable care to Black women.