Startling Truth Behind Black Health Disparities
3 Key Solutions to Eliminate Healthcare Disparities for Black Communities
What inspired you to do what you do? That is a question that many of us in the healthcare field are asked time and time again. Whether you were drawn to healthcare as a means of improving your health or the health of others, there is a deeper reason why you do what you do. That deeper reason started at the end of my enlistment in the United States Marine Corps.
After six years of serving in the Corps, all the unhealthy behaviors that I had been engaging in to meet the high fitness standards had come to bite me in the butt. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one. According to Haynie et al. (2023), the Corps Body Composition and Military Appearance Program contributed to Marines engaging in disordered eating behaviors to meet the standards that disproportionately impact women and communities of color. As a result, Marines have been diagnosed with eating disorders (EDs) at higher rates than other service members, with women Marines being diagnosed more than others.
As a Black woman Marine Corps veteran who struggled with an ED during my time in the Corps, this research hits very close to home. It highlights the intersectional relationship between race and gender, as well as the historical and social factors that contribute to these disparities, thereby impacting the healthcare outcomes of Black women. Therefore, my work may have begun with the intention of helping individuals transform their health, but the research has challenged me to get to the root cause of healthcare disparities - our inequitable healthcare system.
Doing so requires a collaborative effort between healthcare providers and educators to bridge the gaps in care and create an environment that caters to the unique needs of Black women. That's why my work at Enhance Black Women's Health focuses on better understanding the specific challenges Black women encounter within the healthcare system. Here are three ways I've found that have been the most impactful so far.
1. Implicit Bias Awareness
If you think you do not have implicit bias, you must undergo implicit bias training. The harsh reality is that everyone has implicit bias. Research shows racism and white supremacy contribute to many of the implicit messages that we receive regarding body shapes, sizes, colors, ages, and gender (O'Hara, Ahmed, and Elashie, 2021). While that certainly doesn't excuse implicit bias, it illustrates that we aren't always aware of it.
As healthcare providers, we must acknowledge and address implicit biases within our practices. It can lead to misdiagnoses and mistrust between clients and providers when we don't. Therefore, attending workshops or training sessions is a practical approach that can enhance your awareness and cultivate a more inclusive approach to care.
2. Cultural Competency Training
I often wave the banner for cultural competency training, and I will confess I unapologetically am and will continue doing so. One of the things that I've learned as a health educator is that cultural competency is critical for better understanding clients' diverse backgrounds and experiences. Even if you're a historically marginalized or disadvantaged member, that doesn't excuse you from cultural competency training.
It's through cultural competency that we're able to tailor healthcare practices to individual needs. Cultural competency enables us to take a more client-centered approach instead of making assumptions about our clients or providing recommendations that aren't relevant to them. Doing so increases clients' likelihood of following through with recommendations or treatment plans.
3. Community Engagement
Most importantly, never dismiss the importance of actively engaging with the communities you serve. Due to mistrust of our healthcare system, this is increasingly important for healthcare providers. From the Tuskegee Syphilis Study to Dr. J Marion Sims' experimental surgeries on enslaved African-American women, there is good reason for disadvantaged groups to question if providers have their best interest in mind.
That's why establishing open lines of communication is essential for providers to foster trust with their clients. This may mean partnering with a local organization for a health fair or advocating for policy changes with elected officials. Whichever route makes the most sense is ultimately up to you, but the critical thing for healthcare providers is to gain insight into the unique challenges faced by their clients. Providers can promote more culturally sensitive healthcare practices by engaging with the community.
The journey toward equitable healthcare for Black women is a shared responsibility that providers genuinely need to take more seriously. Providers are taking significant steps towards a healthcare system that truly serves all individuals by becoming aware of our implicit bias, embracing cultural competency, and engaging with the local community.
When you're ready to take the next step to turn awareness into action and make strides toward a future where healthcare disparities are a thing of the past, book me to speak at your next event!
Reference
Haynie, Jeannette Gaudry, Joslyn Fleming, Alicia Revitsky Locker, and Alice Shih. Impacts of Marine Corps Body Composition and Military Appearance Program (BCMAP) Standards on Individual Outcomes and Talent Management, RAND Corporation, RR-A1189-1, 2022. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1189-1.html
O'Hara, L., Ahmed, H., and åElashie, S. (2021). Evaluating the impact of a brief Health at Every Size®-informed health promotion activity on body positivity and internalized weight-based oppression. Body Image, 37, 225–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.02.006