African American women have disproportionately lacked health insurance and been affected by higher rates of poverty, as well as a variety of socioeconomic factors that contribute to a number of health disparities. As a result, five women die per day from breast cancer, make up a majority of all new HIV infections among women, and are three times more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy than white women. We celebrate Black History Month by honoring the voices of African American women who were polled on the best solutions to protect their own health and remedy health care disparities in their communities.
Heidi Williamson is the Senior Policy Analyst for the Women’s Health and Rights Program at the Center for American Progress.