What does racism in healthcare cause?

In the United States, maternal healthcare is in a state of preventable crisis, which disproportionately impacts Black women. Regardless of socioeconomic status or educational level, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women are, and more likely to experience severe maternal injuries and illnesses resulting in short- or long-term disability.

In Texas, the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and the Department of State Health Services found that the maternal mortality ratio for Texas and the rate of maternal injuries and illnesses have been on the rise. Black Texan women experience the highest rate of maternal injuries and illnesses.

Texas Advisory Committee Releases Report on Maternal Mortality | U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Far too many of our clients personally experience being ignored, discredited and gaslit when they report their signs and symptoms – even of severe illness. Undertreatment of pain, oversexualization, and assumption that patients (for whatever reason) are somehow lying about what they are experiencing is rampant.

Tragically, this gaslighting and undertreatment of pain is systemic. Discriminatory treatment of Black women and women of color, including neglectful treatment and systematically undertreating and ignoring pain, is well-documented to contribute to maternal injuries and illnesses. Structural and systemic racism – though violative of the standard of care – is alive and well in Texas.

If you have experienced being ignored, discredited, gaslit and discriminated against by the providers who were supposed to take care of you, contact Michelle.