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:

  • African American Women’s Health
  • Women’s Health
  • Women’s Health Conditions/Diseases/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 Disease

Is there an association between African American women and heart disease?

In Heart Disease: Why African American Women Need To Take Their Hearts To Heart, dated 10 April 2025, the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborates on:

“Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in women in the U.S. African American women have an even higher risk of dying from heart disease ― and at a younger age ― than white women, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Each year, more African American women die from heart disease than breast cancer, lung cancer and strokes — combined”.3

High Blood Pressure

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

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

“Nearly 80% of Black adults who have high blood pressure don’t have it under control, putting them at higher risk of heart attack and stroke”.4

Breast Cancer Black Women National Health Policy Agenda 2020-2021

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

On page 25 in Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2020 – 2021: E. Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice – Menopause the BWHI elaborate on:

“Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Black women. Currently, Black women’s breast cancer death rates are 40 percent higher than for white women. Breast cancer incidence rates are also higher among Black women under age 45 than white women. The median age of diagnosis is 59 for Black women, compared to 63 for white women, with a greater percentage being diagnosed in their 40s and younger”.5

Diabetes

Is there an association between Black women and diabetes?

In Black Women’s Health Imperative Releases 2022 National Diabetes Agenda the BWHI elaborate on:

“As the Black Women’s Health Imperative Agenda notes, Black adults are 60% more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes — and twice as likely to die of the condition”.6

Fibroids

Is there an association between Black women and fibroids?

On page 19 in 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”.7

Menopause Age

Is there an association between Black women and menopause age?

In Menopause Is Different for Women of Color the author elaborates on:

“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”.8

Menopause Symptoms

Is there an association between Black women and menopause symptoms?

On page 22 in 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”.9

Health Care Provider

Even 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”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z 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.

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  14. CYL2 Change Your Lifestyle. Change Your Life.
  15. Celebrate Sisterhood
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  18. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  19. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
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  25. Elevating the Impacts of Autoimmune Disease and Black Women’s Health
  26. EmPOWERED To Serve
  27. FairWork [Black Women’s Health Imperative, United States]
  28. Female Genital Mutilation
  29. Fibroid Foundation [United States]
  30. Fibroids.bwhi.org

  31. First Nations Resources [Australia]
    Black Women’s Health
  32. Forward [Foundation of Women’s Health Research and Development, United Kingdom]
  33. Get Your Well-Woman Visit Every Year
  34. Good Heart Health In Middle Age May Preserve Brain Function Among Black Women As They Age
  35. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
  36. Health Care Concerns In Women At Midlife: Differences By Race, Ethnicity, and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status
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  40. Health Screenings for Women Ages 40 To 64
  41. Health Screenings for Women Over Age 65
  42. Heart Disease In Black Women: The Big Issue You Might Not Know About
  43. Heart Disease: Why African American Women Need To Take Their Hearts To Heart
  44. How Black Women Can Take Control of Their Blood Pressure
  45. How To Start A Self-Care Routine
  46. Iamhivpossible.org [I Am HIV Possible, Black Women’s Health Imperative]
    Black Women's Health
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    Black Women’s Health
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    Black Women’s Health
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  52. Lupus.org [Lupus Foundation of America]
  53. May Is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month!
    Women’s Health
  54. May Is Pelvic Pain Awareness Month
  55. Mayo Clinic Minute: Diet and Heart Disease In the Black Community [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  56. Mayo Clinic Minute: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease In the Black Community [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
    MM
  57. Mayo Clinic Minute: Preventing Cancer for Future Generations of Black Families [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  60. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why Black Women Need To Be Screened for Cervical Cancer [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  66. National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities [United States]
  67. National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) 2024
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    Black Women’s Health
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    Office on Women’s Health
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  71. Ncbw.org [National Coalition of Black Women, United States]
  72. New Menopause Information for First Nations Communities [Australia]
    Black Women’s Health
  73. New Report: Breast Cancer Now Leading Cause of Cancer Death In African American/Black Women
  74. Office of Women’s Health [Womenshealth.gov, United States]
  75. On Our Own Terms (OOOT)

  76. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
    Black Women’s Health
  77. PMD Awareness Month [April 2025]
    Black Women’s Health
  78. Rarediseasediversity.org [RDDC Rare Disease Diversity Coalition]
  79. Release the Pressure
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  84. Sister’s With Superpowers Presented By BWHI: Centering Black Women and Their Sexual Health [Video]
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    Black Women’s Health
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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: 12 April 2025
  2. About the Black Women’s Health Study. Boston University Sloane Epidemiology Center https://www.bu.edu/bwhs/ Accessed: 12 April 2025
  3. Heart Disease: Why African American Women Need To Take Their Hearts To Heart. 10 April 2025. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heart-disease-why-african-american-women-need-to-take-their-hearts-to-heart/ Accessed: 12 April 2025
  4. About the Issue. Release the Pressure https://releasethepressure.org/about-the-issue/ Accessed: 12 April 2025
  5. Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2021 – 2021: E. Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice – Menopause. 2020:25. Black Women’s Health Initiative https://bwhi.org/2020/10/27/black-womens-health-imperative-releases-national-health-policy-agenda/ Accessed: 12 April 2025
  6. Black Women’s Health Imperative Releases 2022 National Diabetes Agenda. 22 March 2022. Black Women’s Health Imperative https://bwhi.org/2022/03/22/black-womens-health-imperative-releases-2022-national-diabetes-agenda/ Accessed: 12 April 2025
  7. 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://bwhi.org/2020/10/27/black-womens-health-imperative-releases-national-health-policy-agenda/ Accessed: 12 April 2025
  8. Velez, A. Menopause Is Different for Women of Color. 10 March 2021. https://www.endocrineweb.com/menopause-different-women-color Accessed: 12 April 2025
  9. Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2021 – 2021: E. Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice – Menopause. 2020:22. Black Women’s Health Initiative https://bwhi.org/2020/10/27/black-womens-health-imperative-releases-national-health-policy-agenda/ Accessed: 12 April 2025
  10. Health Screenings for Women Ages 40 To 64: Information. Review Date: 21 May 2024. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007467.htm Accessed: 12 April 2025
Topic Last Updated: 24 June 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 April 2025

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