When it comes to Black women’s healthcare needs being met, there seems to be a disconnect between patient and physician, and that’s a problem. Many Black women have had questionable and concerning experiences with their doctors before we even knew that they should speak up about it.
The neglect and commitment to disregarding Black women’s health is an issue that has only been exacerbated since the early days of slavery. There continues to be a delay in discovering black women’s health issues once they become more severe. Going to the doctor is already stressful, but preparing in advance, and paying more attention to your body, can help.
#EddwinaBright and #AshleeWisdom have shared how their personal experiences of going to doctors’ offices as Black women led them to launch their company, #HealthInHerHUE, a digital platform that connects Black women to culturally sensitive health care providers, health content, and community.
“Women have shared with us that through engaging with our content, they’ve been more intentional about seeking out preventative care services, making time for their appointments, because they’re engaging with the health information that we designed specifically for them, centering their experiences,” said Wisdom.
Although it may take time for a change, black women can and should still be advocates for their health, according to both Bright and Wisdom.
Here are four tips from Health In Her HUE:
1. Advocate for yourself with your doctor to have clear communication for what’s best for you.
2. Track your data so you can be knowledgeable about what is going on with your body and health.
3. Trust your body and trust your instincts. You don’t always have to take the doctor’s words for things because they may not be 100% right.
4. Know your family medical history, so you can have a better idea of possible issues you may have in the future and or can try to avoid.Remember, prevention is always better than a cure, so follow these helpful steps to stay woke AND healthy. #BWLM💕
