User:Jjennings23/sandbox

Background & Content
In the US, women of color confront substantial barriers and prejudice while trying to acquire and get quality healthcare. Based on a study of the literature, it has established socioeconomic positions, geographic locations, and a lack of health insurance are the main barriers that women of color have when trying to get healthcare. Moreover, racism and stereotyping are present in healthcare settings, which can result in a poor or delayed diagnosis, treatment, or referral. Institutionalized racism and bias in the healthcare system, affect women of color's experience greater rates of maternal death and morbidity. For women of color who do not speak English as their first language, language hurdles can be a substantial barrier, resulting in misunderstandings and subpar care. Furthermore, the underrepresentation of women of color in healthcare professions results in a lack of care that is culturally competent and might raise skepticism about the healthcare system. A comprehensive strategy that addresses systemic racism, fosters cultural competence and ensures fair access to healthcare is needed to solve these problems.

Lack of Access
Within the healthcare system, the first thing seen is not only the lack of access to women but women of color. Access to healthcare can be in the form of who the doctors and nurses are, the resources available, and even access to affordable healthcare. Due to a variety of factors, including financial limitations, a lack of health insurance, and the scarcity of healthcare providers in their areas, women of color frequently experience difficulties accessing healthcare. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2019, 22% of Black women and 35% of Hispanic women were uninsured, compared to 12% of White women. Black women and Latinas are more likely to live in areas without enough healthcare providers, with 21% and 19% respectively living in a healthcare shortage area. Areas with healthcare shortages need more coverage but in the aspect of tending to the majority of the community that is surrounding them. It is reported that women of color travel significantly farther out of their neighborhoods to attempt to receive proper care. That further adds on expenses and access that need to be accessed to get proper care then even if they were to receive care, the access for it to be affordable is not always attainable.

Bias and Stereotypes
Bias and stereotypes have always been prevalent in reference to women of color in healthcare. Women of color’s bodies have been proven to be significantly different when it comes to pain so with that being said, you would think more attention given. A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that Black women are more likely to have their pain dismissed or undertreated due to stereotypes about their pain tolerance. Women of color now suffer more because their pain is not taken seriously or judged properly due to the bias and stereotype women of color supposedly have. Due to their gender, race, or ethnicity, women of color may encounter prejudice and stereotype from healthcare professionals. This may lead to poor diagnosis and therapy, as well as delayed or inaccurate diagnosis. Stereotyping and bias can cause delayed or inaccurate diagnoses, which can worsen medical conditions and have a negative impact on patient outcomes. This continues to further their pain, discomfort, and trust in the healthcare system. In another study of 400 medical students and residents, half believed at least one myth about biological differences between Black and white people, such as the belief that Black people have thicker skin or less sensitive nerve endings. . This notion just continues the ideal towards women of color in a negative light that does not benefit them at all. In conducting this study, researchers have also made it known that because of this myth, physicians will believe women of color can tolerate more pain which further dismisses them.

Disparities in Maternal Health
Disparities in maternal health have been a major issue given that no one has looked into why women of color are dying at a higher and faster rate than white women. Health inequalities, which result in higher rates of chronic diseases and mortality rates, are a result of the barriers and prejudice experienced by women of color in the healthcare system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, while American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic women also have higher rates of maternal mortality than white women. Native American/Alaska Native women are 2-3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. This is a result of physicians not educating themselves on women of color and how their bodies differ from white women during pregnancy. There are major signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, pain, etc in women of color’s bodies that are significantly different than white women that do not get paid attention to.

Language Barriers
The inability of women of color who do not speak English as their first language to communicate with medical professionals may result in a lack of knowledge about their medical conditions and available treatments. A study published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health found that limited English proficiency was associated with lower rates of preventive care among Asian American women. One in five Asian American women reports limited English proficiency, which can lead to lower rates of preventive care. Women of color are suffering due to the lack of physicians capable of communicating with patients or having the necessary means and translators to do so. This leads to women of color not having proper physicals and not being able to effectively communicate to their doctors and nurses what may be the issue. It was also reported Spanish-speaking Latinas report lower rates of breast cancer screening than English-speaking Latinas. Yet again, this is demonstrating how women of color are continuing to not receive proper care resulting in death or further complications because they aren’t able to communicate with their physicians.

Lack of Representation
Representation is another factor that plays into women of color not receiving the best or proper healthcare. When women of color do not see a lot of physicians that look like them it not only affects them as patients and their overall health but how they trust their physician. 72% of black women have reported not always telling their physician full details due to the fact that the physician will not understand nor do they look like them. In the Association of American Medical Colleges, in 2019, only 5% of practicing physicians in the United States identified as Black and 5% identified as Hispanic/Latino. Only 2% of registered nurses identify as Native American/Alaska Native or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. It's possible that healthcare professionals lack the cultural sensitivity needed to treat women of color effectively. This may lead to a lack of knowledge regarding cultural values, customs, and practices that influence decisions about one's health and medical care. Representation has been shown to increase the presence of women of color and increase positive outcomes in women of color. It makes women of color feel heard, understood and represented when someone of color is their physician, and an added bonus can properly communicate with them.

Resources
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