The health disparities in fibroids

Health and racial disparities in uterine fibroids or non-cancerous tumors are, unfortunately, quite prevalent. Research indicates that 80% of Black women are more likely to develop uterine fibroids by the age of 50 compared to White women. Not only are Black women more likely to be diagnosed with uterine fibroids at an earlier age, but they also tend to experience more severe symptoms and complications like heavy menstrual bleeding and fertility issues.

Additionally, fibroids may cause more than physical pain – women with the condition also reported experiencing significant distress that negatively affected their quality of life, including depression, anxiety, body image issues, and their overall mental health. This psychological impact particularly affected black women in lower income brackets.

The reasons for these disparities likely involve a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic status. Some studies suggest disparities in healthcare access, including early detection and treatment, play an essential role. Therefore, addressing these disparities is essential to ensure equitable healthcare outcomes for all individuals.

This public health issue is significant and has prompted a need for more community discussions and interventions promoting awareness, improving access to healthcare services, addressing clinician bias, eliminating structural determinants, and calling for more inclusive research free of scientific racism to understand better the underlying factors contributing to these disparities.

In this episode of Badly Governed, Nagede Volcy White shares her experience living with uterine fibroids. Here we go! And remember, if you are not included, then chances are you are not represented.

Keywords: #inclusive research, #Mental Health, #Health care access, #Uterine fibroids, #non-cancerous tumors, #ethnic minorities, #racial disparities, #severe symptoms, #quality of life, #socioeconomic status, #White counterparts, #White women, #Black women, #public health issue, #heavy bleeding, #scientific racism, #clinician bias, #reproductive health, #menstrual bleeding, #structural determinants, #ethnic minorities, #Lack of representation, #Black female Gynecologist

Credits:

Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens

Producer: Lydje Lahens

Writers: Lydje Lahens & Nadege V. White

Videographer: Anthony Schultz

Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens

Social Media Graphics & Management: Lydje Lahens & Dream Big

Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net)

Video Editors & Shorts: Luis Romero, Anthony Felice, Alex Kulikoff, and Anthony Schultz

Branding: Zozimus

References:

Baird, D. D., Patchel, S. A., Saldana, T. M., Umbach, D. M., Cooper, T., Wegienka, G., & Harmon, Q. E. (2020). Uterine fibroid incidence and growth in an ultrasound-based, prospective study of young African Americans. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 223(3), 402-e1.

Yu, O., Scholes, D., Schulze-Rath, R., Grafton, J., Hansen, K., & Reed, S. D. (2018). A US population-based study of uterine fibroid diagnosis incidence, trends, and prevalence: 2005 through 2014. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 219(6), 591-e1.