26 Stories From Black Women Who Experienced Discrimination That Resulted In Health Disparities

Tales as old as time, discrimination has harmed people who don’t deserve it. It clouds the judgment of others who believe they are superior because of their race, until their natural yet willing actions hurt those they look down upon.

Unfortunately, the healthcare industry has a number of professionals who fall into this category. Those who supposedly took an oath to do no harm to their patients are often the same individuals who turn them away and withhold proper care.

All because the patient is of a different social status, race, gender, and much more. This, in turn, poses a significant health risk to communities.

One of the most affected by this discrimination is Black women. They often experience this problem not just once but repeatedly, until their healthcare is severely compromised.

They not only face this issue with people of a different race but sometimes even from those you’d expect to be their allies.

In an online thread, women were asked to share their terrible experiences with health disparities, and the responses were shocking. The unfairness and discrimination have caused these women, and even those they know, to have their lives severely compromised when many conditions are instantly treatable.

These are women who were kept in the dark and had to seek answers from other professionals regarding their situations. These are stories where professionals break their oaths to do no harm.

1. The GP was among those who are suffering from obesity; they should’ve known that the symptoms might not lead to that conclusion.

miannco

2. The fact that it’s treatable is heartbreaking and infuriating.

paigedagnew

3. Fortunately, OP returned to receive her accurate diagnosis and treatment. Stereotypes can be fatal.

amandalese

4. Do they assume you’d want to keep returning to a place where you’re being dismissed?

akaganator3000

5. When you are already sick but need to go to the clinic hoping to get answers.

remy1009

6. It’s not an oversight but a conscious mistake in judgment.

akaganator3000

7. Well, after the third one, you sort of have a gut feeling when you’re actually in labor.

paigedagnew

8. Sometimes it’s a matter of life and death, but the professionals you ask for help treat it as something mundane.

staceyeb

9. Whether you witness it when you’re young or old, it doesn’t change the fact that such things shouldn’t be happening.

kittykay

10. It’s terrifying when you’re already pushing for them to take action...

pauliewallie

but need another person for them to listen.

pauliewallie

11. Imagine enduring all of that and having the little relief you have run out, only to still hear that you could wait.

lmichelle0510

12. The stress piles up, plus the feeling that you’re consistently kept in the dark.

blackdaria

13. OP was stripped of a choice that she could’ve easily had.

navycameron89

14. The only stress she faced came from professionals who didn’t take her seriously.

elenabrightstar

15. This is a hazard for those who might already be hesitant about seeking help.

cleospeo

16. When they don’t even bother to learn your name after such a long time, even if they have your records, it’s a big red flag.

forkliftjones

17. The stark contrast in how she was treated...

kirathomas1

in comparison with her friends is terrifying.

kirathomas1

18. Doctors who listen to their patients and take action are the ones who deserve their titles.

nitajay

19. It’s angering to see those you look up to reduced to how others perceive them.

sorrybug

20. They could’ve at least asked first instead of assuming.

tiredpumpkin

21. There’s also the horror of having their children subjected to the same kind of treatment.

allthingscandace

22. The sad fact that they wouldn’t ‘listen’ until you’re hysterical is absolutely outrageous.

nikia1980

23. To think that she might not have been able to watch her baby grow because of others’ incompetence.

tracidraw

24. The reminder of it shouldn’t come from large scars and traumatic memories.

pamelakakanayezu

25. Even those who aren’t patients, such as co-professionals, see the disparities.

amandasmith197856

26. It shouldn’t be difficult to find doctors who will listen to you when you tell them how you feel. Would they rather guess?

mj2005

As patients, you would expect to receive aid when you're scared about your health and feeling clueless. You turn to professionals who are more knowledgeable and who are there to care for people.

These women deserve to be treated fairly and not subjected to the fear of not receiving proper care. Their lives are as important as those of other women who they saw being treated better because the professionals assumed they had fewer "differences."