Black Women's Health: Facing Racism & Discrimination

0:00A new national survey reveals that nearly half of black women, girls, and gender diverse people in Canada, delay or avoid health care because of fears, over racial discrimination and being dismissed by providers. The Black Women's Institute for Health gathered responses from almost 2,000 participants highlighting deep-rooted anti-black racism in the system. Researchers outline six key areas of disparity, including maternal health neglect, severe mental health issues, and early encounters with racism. Among black youth, two-thirds of respondents reported feeling dismissed by doctors far higher than for women overall, while mental health topped chronic conditions at 15.8%. Personal stories paint a tough picture, with many facing long emergency room weights or going and overly prepared, just to be heard. One participant from Uganda shared waiting 22 hours for care after moving to Canada, and now teaches her daughters how to advocate for, themselves in a system that feels stacked

1:01against them. The survey even provided mental health support for its own researchers, reviewing the harrowing accounts. Mental health struggles stood out starkly, as 27.4% of black women have had suicidal thoughts, over six times the national. Average for women, with 70 recommendations now in hand, advocates push for declaring anti-black racism, a public health emergency, and creating a national black. Health equity strategy, addressing these barriers could save lives, and make the entire health system stronger for everyone. That's the story for today. Canada News Today, Driven by AI, I'm Corey with The Story.