As we focus on Women’s History Month, I’ve decided to bring to light current research being conducted on the disparities that exist with women of color and the healthcare system.  I came across an interesting website: http://community.feministing.com/2009/06/study-women-of-color-impacted.html and the following information was shared:  In June 2009, the Kaiser Foundation published a report entitled, “Putting Women’s Health Care Disparities on the Map: Examining Racial and Ethnic Disparities at the State Level.”   The report’s findings show that women of color are disproportionately affected by a range of health issues including diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, AIDS, and cancer.  Women of color also experience high rates of inadequate health care, no health insurance and no prenatal care. National average data shows that 27.9% of women of color don’t have any health coverage, compared to 12.8% of their white counterparts.  The report went on to discuss factors related to the data including education, socioeconomic status, and geography.  I encourage you to read the entire report.

Let’s talk… How can our communities better support this population with the various barriers and challenges that currently exist: complexity of the healthcare system, transportation issues, the lack of understanding as relates to preventive interventions, past experiences with the system, the lack of cultural competency within the system, the inability to leave work for appointments, etc.?  Please leave your comment.