The Self Inside LLC’s Post

Sis, thus far we have discussed how stress affects the body and how to assess your levels of stress. This week, we are going to discuss 4 unique stressors that black women face: #3 Health Disparities: Black women experience higher rates of certain health conditions, such as hypertension, obesity, and maternal mortality, which can be exacerbated by stress. These health disparities are influenced by social determinants of health, including socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and exposure to discrimination. Sis, during my pregnancy, I found myself repeatedly in and out of the hospital for various reasons. Each time, I had to fight to be heard and believed about the level of pain I was experiencing. I'll never forget the moment doctors rushed into my hospital room and tore off my clothes for an 'emergency' they anticipated. Despite my protests, they didn’t listen to the real reason I was in pain. Sis, your voice matters, and your pain is valid. If you need support processing an experience like this, please reach out to us at www.theselfinsidellc.com.

As a society, we should strive for equal access to quality healthcare and health outcomes for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Addressing health disparities is a matter of social justice and ethical responsibility. 📢 Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) disproportionately affects Black Americans, according to a recent article in Scientific American. Here are some key points: 🧠 FTD, the most common dementia for those under 60, causes changes in personality, behavior, and language. ⚖️ Black individuals with FTD face higher severity, more impairment, and increased rates of delusions, agitation, and depression. 🩺 Physician bias leads to Black and Latinx people being misdiagnosed with psychotic disorders 3-4 times more often, delaying proper FTD diagnosis. #FTDAwareness #HealthEquity #BrainHealth #DementiaResearch

“Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in quality healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. Social determinants of health prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health.” 80% of ALL maternal deaths are preventable. Each year, Black Maternal Health Week is observed from April 11th - 17th. Take some time to learn more about what you can do in your own community to change these outcomes.

Samira Omar and her team reveal the profound effects of institutional racism on Black patients in traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation. The study uses critical race theory to show how racism is embedded in care practices. Black patients are often stereotyped as violent or aggressive, leading to biased treatment and reduced access to rehabilitation. Insurance companies and publicly funded services act as gatekeepers, often limiting care based on racial assumptions. Additionally, biased medical records reinforce negative stereotypes, affecting future care decisions. Black patients also feel pressure to conform to white norms to receive better care, often prioritizing physical recovery over mental and cognitive health due to these expectations. The study calls for urgent reforms to address these inequities and create more inclusive rehabilitation systems for Black patients. #InstitutionalRacism #TBIRehabilitation #HealthcareEquity #CriticalRaceTheory #InclusiveCare #HealthDisparities

What aspects of postpartum health are important to Black Moms? If you are a Black mom or Birth worker share your perspective so that Healthy Start knows how to prioritize your needs!

Black Mothers in Power joins in the observation of Fibroid Awareness Week to bring attention to the prevalence and impact of fibroids on Black mothers, women, and girls in Delaware. Did you know that Black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids than white women? In fact, by age 50, around 80% of Black women will have developed fibroids. Fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and infertility, impacting the quality of life and reproductive health of Black women. Social determinants of health such as limited access to healthcare, higher stress levels, and systemic racism can contribute to the development and complications of fibroids in the Black community. To address these issues, it is important for Black women to prioritize their health and seek regular medical exams. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and managing stress can also help reduce the risk of developing fibroids. Black Mothers in Power encourages Black women in Delaware to advocate for their health, seek support from healthcare providers, and raise awareness about fibroids in their communities. Let's work together to take control of our health and wellness! #FibroidAwarenessWeek #BlackMothersinPower

In this new report, D&S Research Analyst Joan Mukogosi considers a question often overlooked when considering solutions to the Black maternal health crisis: How might digital technologies meant to improve health outcomes for Black birthing people be producing new forms of harm?   In the US, Black birthing people face disproportionately high rates of pregnancy-related deaths. At the same time, many of the most prominent interventions in birth-related care rely on forms of intensified data collection. This reliance on data comes with considerable risks, including its incorporation into carceral systems that monitor, constrain, and discipline Black individuals — a risk exacerbated by a post-Dobbs climate of increasingly restrictive reproductive health policies. In this context, Establishing Vigilant Care puts the risks of digital health technologies at the forefront of considerations about where, how, and by whom maternity care is delivered to Black birthing people. Read the full report. https://lnkd.in/e4bngqm8 

Observed each year from April 11–17, Black Maternal Health Week puts a spotlight on the work ahead to reduce black maternal mortality. In Pennsylvania and around the U.S., hospitals are focused on addressing inequities in maternal health and opportunities to improve health outcomes. “Improving health outcomes for Black mothers requires strong collaboration and a shared recognition that the status quo is not acceptable,” HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings said in a statement. “HAP and Pennsylvania hospitals are committed to advancing high-quality and equitable care for Black mothers, eliminating implicit bias from care, and addressing the health inequities that result from structural racism.” Read about what this week highlights the need to do: https://lnkd.in/egwwSuY4 #BlackMaternalHealthWeek

Did you know? According to a recent NHS report from 2020, there's been a staggering 216% increase in hospital admissions for eating disorders among people from Black African backgrounds between 2017 and 2020. It's eye-opening, isn't it? This data challenges the misconception that eating disorders mainly affect young White women. In reality, these disorders impact individuals from all backgrounds, including the Black community. This statistic sheds light on an important issue: Black individuals are seeking support, but often not until they're in crisis. This emphasises the urgent need for more prevention and early intervention efforts within the Black community. You can read the full article here 👉🏾 https://shorturl.at/prZ49 🔬 Source: The Guardian analysis of NHS data. #eatingdisorderawarenessweek #eatingdisorders

Big Problem Alert: Black Women and Medical Misdiagnosis Y’all, we need to spotlight this: Black women are way more likely to get medically misdiagnosed. This isn’t just a stat—it’s our lives on the line. Let’s demand better. Check out the full scoop on Black Girl Nerds and let’s talk solutions. Because knowing is only half the battle. 💪🏾 #HealthcareEquity #Awareness