Racial Disparities in Healthcare: The Plight of BIPOC Women

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with the looming threat of vaccine-immune variants, has heightened the need for a healthcare system that embodies trust and competence. Yet, for BIPOC women, confidence in receiving equitable medical care is a privilege that remains elusive. The marginalization of BIPOC women in healthcare is not only a matter of concern but a potentially fatal disparity.

Historical and systemic racism in healthcare is well-documented, a fact underscored by the harrowing experience of tennis superstar Serena Williams. Her postpartum ordeal, where her legitimate health concerns were initially dismissed by medical professionals, is a stark reminder of the biases that still permeate medical treatment. Sadly, Williams' experience is far from unique. Black women in the U.S. face a triply higher risk of mortality post childbirth compared to their white counterparts, often due to their pain and symptoms being ignored or minimized.

This issue extends beyond the Black community. South Asian women, especially older individuals, frequently encounter the stigmatization of their symptoms as exaggeration, colloquially termed as 'Begum Syndrome' or 'Bibi Syndrome.' East Asian women often forgo seeking medical attention due to the fear of disbelief and stigma. The lack of data on Indigenous women's healthcare experiences further highlights the systemic neglect of this significantly marginalized group.

My personal encounter with the healthcare system echoes the broader narrative of disbelief and disregard. A severe pain in my abdomen during winter 2018 was trivialized as menstrual cramps by medical staff, despite my insistence that the pain was atypical and potentially indicative of appendicitis. It was only after persistent advocacy on my part that a CT scan was performed, revealing an appendix at imminent risk of rupture. This is not an isolated incident; it is reflective of a pattern of medical maltreatment that spans misdiagnoses, the dismissal of pain, and the trivialization of serious health concerns among BIPOC women.

Stories of delayed diagnoses, like the one involving my mother's ovarian cysts, and the dismissive attitudes towards concerns about birth control side effects, are common among BIPOC women. These experiences are compounded by the racist legacy of birth control and its eugenic undertones, further exacerbating the distress experienced by these women when their healthcare needs are not taken seriously.

Addressing this crisis requires more than incremental changes. Some BIPOC women have turned to seeking care from BIPOC doctors and exploring ayurvedic and alternative medicines. However, a more comprehensive approach is necessary. For healthcare to be truly empathetic, efficient, and equitable, there must be a systemic overhaul that includes culturally sensitive training across all levels of medical education. The well-being and lives of BIPOC women depend on such transformative change.