NACDD and BWHI Join Forces to Tackle Health Disparities Facing Black Women
Black women face significant health disparities due to racism and implicit biases in the medical system. A recent collaboration between the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) and the Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI) aims to address these issues and improve health outcomes.
Historically, Black women have faced misunderstandings and undertreatment by medical professionals. This is often exacerbated by racism, which can cause chronic stress with debilitating health effects. For instance, Black trans women are highly likely to be victims of violence, making up most of the 57 trans and gender nonconforming people murdered by hate in 2021.
To tackle these challenges, NACDD and BWHI have joined forces under a $2.6 million CDC-funded cooperative agreement. The NACDD focuses on chronic disease prevention and management, while BWHI centers on improving health outcomes for Black women. Their collaborative efforts aim to create lasting change in the health landscape for Black women.
Addressing implicit biases is crucial for healthcare providers. One initiative is a cooperative agreement to improve prediabetes prevention among Black women using culturally tailored distance learning and a mobile app. This approach acknowledges the unique health needs and cultural backgrounds of Black women. Additionally, addressing racism and discrimination in healthcare is vital to reduce health disparities. For example, Black women are three times more likely to die from untreated or ignored childbirth complications than white women.
The collaboration between NACDD and BWHI is a significant step towards improving the health of Black women. By addressing implicit biases, racism, and providing culturally tailored care, they aim to reduce health disparities and create lasting change. This work builds on the historical contributions of Black women to healthcare, despite facing racism and sexism.
