Black Women’s Health

“Black women have higher rates of many illnesses,
such as hypertension, breast cancer at young ages,
diabetes, stroke, and lupus”.1

Umbrella

What may the Black Women’s Health Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Women’s Health
  • Women’s Health Conditions
  • Women’s Health Diseases
  • Women’s Health Issues

Illnesses

What illnesses do black women have higher rates of?

In About the Black Women’s Health Study the (United States) Boston University Sloane Epidemiology Center elaborate on:

“Black women have higher rates of many illnesses, such as hypertension, breast cancer at young ages, diabetes, stroke, and lupus”.2

Heart DiseaseBlack Women National Health Policy Agenda 2020-2021

Is there an association between Black women and heart disease?

On page 29 Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2020 – 2021: G. Cardiovascular Health the (United States) Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) elaborate on:

“Heart disease is the number-one killer of Black women, with cancer and stroke as other leading causes of death. According to the American Heart Association, among African American women ages 20 and older, nearly half (48.3%) already have cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD kills nearly 50,000 Black women annually, but only one in five Black women believes she is personally at risk”.3

High Blood Pressure

Is there an association between Black women and high blood pressure?

In AMA, National Coalition Announce Campaign With ESSENCE To Advocate for Heart Health With Black Women the American Medical Association elaborate on:

“According to the American Heart Association, the prevalence of high blood pressure among Black adults in the U.S. is among the highest in the world, with the prevalence of high blood pressure in Black women nearly 40% higher than white women in the U.S. Additionally, almost 80% of Black adults living with high blood pressure do not have it controlled to goal, placing them at increased risk of heart attack and stroke”.4

Release the Pressure

What is Release the Pressure?

In About the Issue the (United States) Release the Pressure explain:

Black Women's Health

“Our mission is to join Black women in taking preventive action to protect their heart health. We’re encouraging Black women to be a part of a healthy blood pressure movement. And we want you to join us”.5

Breast Cancer

What are some differences between breast cancer and Black women compared to White woman?

In What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer Now…Part 1 of a 3 Part Series With Dr. Lisa Newman: What Are Some of the Differences In the Way Breast Cancer Presents In Black Women (AA) vs Whites (WA)? Age? Dr Newman elaborates on:

“Breast cancer mortality/death rates are approximately 40% higher among African American women compared to White women.

African American women are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced-stage breast cancer compared to White women; the tumors of AA patients are more likely to be larger and associated with spread to the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes (glands) at time of diagnosis compared to WA patients.

Risk of developing a breast cancer increases in ALL women as we get older, but AA women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at younger ages compared to WA women. For example, among women younger than 40-45 years old, the population-based incidence rates of breast cancer are higher for AA compared to WA women. Furthermore, approximately 30% of all newly-diagnosed AA breast cancer patients are younger than 50 years old, compared to only 20% of WA patients”.6

DiabetesBlack Women National Health Policy Agenda 2020-2021

Is there an association between Black women and diabetes?

On page 30 Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2021 – 2021: H. Diabetes the BWHI elaborate on:

“Compared to the general population, Black people are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes. For Black women, the risk is great: They are two to four times more likely than white women to have the disease. Type 2 diabetes affects one in every four Black women ages 55 and older, and is listed as the fourth leading cause of death for all ages. Diabetes is also widespread, affecting nearly 12 percent of all Black women ages 20 and older. As Black women age, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases. While Black women ages 20 and older only account for 13 percent of the total female population in the United States, they represent 15 percent of all diabetes cases. Black women are especially at risk due to high rates of obesity, lack of physical activity, and stress. Many health care providers do not screen for prediabetes, so Black women who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes are oftentimes not aware it can be prevented”.7

FibroidsBlack Women National Health Policy Agenda 2020-2021

Is there an association between Black women and fibroids?

On page 19 Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2020 – 2021: E. Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Uterine – Fibroids the BWHI elaborate on:

“Black women suffer from uterine fibroids at two to three times the rate of white women; 80 percent of Black women will have them during their lifetime. Black women are also more likely to suffer from uterine fibroids at an earlier age and with greater levels of pain than women of other races, and they are more likely to undergo hysterectomy at some point for treatment. Around 25 percent of Black women will suffer from fibroids by the age of 25”.8

Menopause Age

Is there an association between Black women and menopause age?

In Menopause Is Different for Women of Color the author elaborates on: Black Women’s Health

“In the US, the median age for reaching menopause (the point at which a person has gone for 12 consecutive months without a period) is 51. The research in SWAN shows that Black women reach menopause at 49, two years earlier than the national median age”.9

Menopause SymptomsBlack Women National Health Policy Agenda 2020-2021

Is there an association between Black women and menopause symptoms?

On page 22 Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2020 – 2021: E. Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice – Menopause the BWHI elaborate on:

“After menopause, for example, one of the most common discomforts is hot flashes, characterized by sudden feelings of warmth that spread over the upper body, often with blushing and sweating. Even there, the differences are stark. White women experience hot flashes for around 6.5 years after their final period, while for Latinas it’s 8.9 years, and for Black women it’s 10 years”.10

Health Care Provider

If I feel fine, do I still need to see my health care provider regularly?

Even if you feel fine, it may be in your best interest to choose to see your health care provider regularly. In Health Screenings for Women Ages 40 To 64: Information the (United States) MedlinePlus elaborate on:

“Even if you feel fine, you should still see your provider for regular checkups. These visits can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can check for these conditions”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Black Women’s Health? In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Black Women’s Health? Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. Amyloidosis
  2. Aretha Franklin and Annual Exams: Don’t Forget To R-E-S-P-E-C-T Your Health and Get Care for Your Chronic Disease During the Pandemic Black Women’s Health
  3. BWHI Anniversary Week 8th-14th August 2021 [Black Women’s Health Imperative, United States]
  4. BWHI Coronavirus
  5. Black Women COVID-19 and Clinical Research
  6. Black Women More Likely To Gain Weight Than White Women After Menopause
  7. Black Women’s Health Imperative
  8. Black Women’s Health Imperative Launches “Take The Shot for the WIN” Vaccination Awareness Campaign with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association and National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
  9. Black Women’s Health Imperative Releases National Health Policy Agenda
  10. Black Women’s Health Study
  11. Black and Rare: Scleroderma In the African-American Community [+ Video]
  12. CervingConfidence [+ Video]
  13. Cerving Conversations: An Intimate Chat With Ciara About Self-Care
  14. COVID-19 Pandemic Survival Guide for Black Women and Their Families 2021–2022
  15. COVID-19 Vaccination: What You Need To Know Now!
  16. CYL2 Change Your Lifestyle. Change Your Life: CYL2 Has Gone Virtual
  17. Cancer Disparities In the Black Community
  18. Consumer Health: Sickle Cell Disease
  19. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Science Conversation: Science In 5: Episode #58 – TB & COVID-19
  20. Courageous Conversation Around Obesity, Healthy Lifestyles, and Black Women
  21. Eight Facts To Know About Women’s Health
  22. EmPOWERED Black Women & Well-Being Roundtable: How Black and Brown Women Can Boost Mental Health During COVID19
  23. EmPOWERED To Serve
  24. FORWARD [Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development, United Kingdom]
  25. Female Genital Mutilation
  26. Fibroid Foundation [United States]
  27. Fibroids
  28. Get Your Well-Woman Visit Every Year
  29. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
  30. Health Checks
  31. Health Checkup
  32. Health Information In Multiply Languages
  33. Health Screenings for Women Ages 40 To 64
  34. Health Screenings for Women Over Age 65
  35. Heart Disease In Black Women: The Big Issue You Might Not Know About
  36. How Black Women Can Take Control of Their Blood Pressure
  37. How Right Now
  38. It’s Our Right
  39. Juneteenth [19 June 2021]
  40. Key Facts About VAWG [Violence Against Women and Girls]
  41. Know Your Normal Get Abnormal Bleeding Checked
  42. KnowDiabetesbyHeart
  43. LGBTQ+ Health
  44. Lupus.org [Lupus Foundation of America]
  45. Mayo Clinic Minute: African Americans At Higher Risk of Stroke [+ Video]
  46. Mayo Clinic Minute: Coming Out As LGBTQ To Your Health Care Provider [+ Video]
  47. Mayo Clinic Minute: Skin Cancer Concerns for People With Darker Skin [+ Video]
  48. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  49. Menopause Is Different for Women of Color
  50. My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?
  51. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Women’s Health and Complementary Approaches
  52. National Diabetes Prevention Program [+ Video] [United States]
  53. National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities [United States]
  54. National Women’s Blood Pressure Awareness Week Black Women’s Health
  55. Ncbw.org [National Coalition of Black Women, United States]
  56. Nwhn.org [National Women’s Health Network, United States]
  57. Obesity and Mental Health: Understanding the Connection [+ Video]
  58. Office of Minority Health [United States Department of Health and Human Services]
  59. Office of Women’s Health [Womenshealth.gov, United States]
  60. On Our Own Terms (OOOT)
  61. P.O.W.E.R. of Sure
  62. Period Pain & Symptom Diary
  63. Podcast – “Chirping” on Sickle Cell: A Discussion With Bluebird Bio and Dr. Anjulika Chawla, M.D., FAAP
  64. Profile: Black/African Americans
  65. Project Teach Online Education Course: Course Resources for EPPs [+ Video: Project Teach Initiative and Online Education Courses
  66. Rarediseasediversity.org [Rare Disease Diversity Coalition, United States]
  67. Reclaim Your Wellness
  68. Reclaim Your Wellness Webinar “The Intersection of Obesity, Health, and Faith” [+ Video]
  69. Release the Pressure
  70. Release the Pressure: About the Issue [+ Video]
  71. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Patients [United Kingdom]
  72. Sharecancersupport.org [Share Cancer Support, United States]
  73. Sickle Cell Anemia
  74. Sistersnetworkinc.org [Sisters Network Inc, United States]
  75. Supporting Our Sisters: Transforming Uterine Fibroid Awareness Into Action
  76. The Black Women’s Health Imperative Workplace Equity Initiative [+ Video]
  77. The Health Issues We Don’t Like To Discuss: Vulval Vaginal Health
  78. Top Health Checks for Women
  79. Understanding Lupus
  80. Unmuting Fibroids
  81. Video Series-2021: Female Urinary and Bladder Issues At Midlife [+ Video]
  82. Video Series-2021 – What You Need to Know About the #1 Cause of Death in Women
  83. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Women and Covid: Not Quite the Same As Men – for Women
  84. Videos and Podcasts: World Menopause Day 2021 – Bone Health
  85. Videos and Podcasts: World Menopause Day 2021 – Bone Health What Why and How
  86. Virtual Public Forum: (Mis)trust In the COVID-19 Vaccine In the African American Community [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  87. What Is High Blood Pressure?
  88. Who Is At High Risk for Breast Cancer? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  89. Women 40-60
  90. Women Over 60
  91. Women [Topics]
  92. Women’s Health
  93. Women’s Health
  94. Women’s Health
  95. Women’s Health
  96. Women’s Health
  97. Women’s Health Concern [Patient Arm of the British Menopause Society]
  98. Women’s Health Topics
  99. World Menopause Day [18 October 2021] Black Women’s Health
  100. World Osteoporosis Day [20 October 2021]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. About the Black Women’s Health Study. Boston University Sloane Epidemiology Center https://www.bu.edu/bwhs/ Accessed: 02 September 2021
  2. About the Black Women’s Health Study. Boston University Sloane Epidemiology Center https://www.bu.edu/bwhs/ Accessed: 02 September 2021
  3. Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2021 – 2021: G. Cardiovascular Health. 2020:29. Black Women’s Health Initiative https://3hqwxl1mqiah5r73r2q7zll1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BWHI_NHPA_2020-21.pdf Accessed: 02 September 2021
  4. AMA, National Coalition Announce Campaign With ESSENCE To Advocate for Heart Health With Black Women. 04 June 2020. American Heart Association https://newsroom.heart.org/news/ama-national-coalition-announce-campaign-with-essence-to-advocate-for-heart-health-with-black-women Accessed: 02 September 2021
  5. About the Issue. Release the Pressure https://releasethepressure.org/about-the-issue/ Accessed: 02 September 2021
  6. What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer Now…Part 1 of a 3 Part Series With Dr. Lisa Newman: What Are Some of the Differences In the Way Breast Cancer Presents In Black Women (AA) vs Whites (WA)? Age? Accessed: 02 September 2021
  7. Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2021 – 2021: H. Diabetes. 2020:30. Black Women’s Health Initiative https://3hqwxl1mqiah5r73r2q7zll1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BWHI_NHPA_2020-21.pdf Accessed: 02 September 2021
  8. Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2021 – 2021: E. Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice – Uterine Fibroids. 2020:19. Black Women’s Health Initiative https://3hqwxl1mqiah5r73r2q7zll1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BWHI_NHPA_2020-21.pdf Accessed: 02 September 2021
  9. Velez, A. Menopause Is Different for Women of Color. 10 March 2021. https://www.endocrineweb.com/menopause-different-women-color Accessed: 02 September 2021
  10. Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2021 – 2021: E. Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice – Menopause. 2020:22. Black Women’s Health Initiative https://3hqwxl1mqiah5r73r2q7zll1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BWHI_NHPA_2020-21.pdf Accessed: 02 September 2021
  11. Health Screenings for Women Ages 40 To 64: Information. Review Date: 19 April 2020. Page Last Updated: 25 May 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007467.htm Accessed: 02 September 2021

Topic Last Updated: 20 October 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 02 September 2021
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