📚 Cited Studies & Data SourcesMaternal Mortality Rates-Black women are 3–4x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.Source: CDC Reproductive Health Report, 2020Hypertension and Heart Disease-Black women have the highest rates of high blood pressure among all groups in the U.S.Source: American Heart Association (Go Red for Women, 2018)Pain Bias in Medicine-Half of white medical trainees held false beliefs that Black patients feel less pain.Source: Hoffman KM et al. PNAS, 2016. PMID: 27044069Underdiagnosis in Endometriosis-Black women with endometriosis face delays in diagnosis and more advanced disease at diagnosis.Source: Bougie O et al., Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am, 2022. PMID: 35514542Fibroids Prevalence and Severity-Black women are 2–3 times more likely to develop fibroids and experience more severe symptoms.Source: Baird DD et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2013. PMID: 12548202BV and Recurrent Infections-Black women have significantly higher rates of BV and are less likely to receive targeted treatment.Source: Donald J. Alcendor. Evaluation of health disparity in bacterial vaginosis and the implications for HIV-1 acquisition in African American women. Am J Reprod Immunol 2016; 76: 99–107.Clinical Research Representation-Black women are significantly underrepresented in reproductive health studies.Source: Clark LT et al., J Natl Med Assoc, 2022. PMID: 30545650🖤 Organizations to Support & FollowBlack Mamas Matter AllianceWebsite: https://blackmamasmatter.org Leading voice in advocating for Black maternal health and birth justice.SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice CollectiveWebsite: https://www.sistersong.netNational organization focused on reproductive justice through a human rights lens.The Afiya Center (Texas-based)Website: https://www.theafiyacenter.orgAdvocacy and direct support for Black women and girls impacted by reproductive oppression.National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC)Website: https://birthequity.orgWorks to optimize Black maternal and infant health outcomes.Black Women’s Health ImperativeWebsite: https://bwhi.orgThe first nonprofit created by Black women to help protect and advance the health of Black women and girls.Action Steps for Listeners✅ If you’re a Black woman:-Track your symptoms and bring written notes to every appointment.-Ask about microbiome, hormonal, and inflammatory root causes—not just quick fixes.-Consider working with a culturally competent doula, midwife, or pelvic health therapist.-Advocate for second (or third) opinions, you are not being “extra.”Check out Black-led wellness and advocacy communities (like @thevaginachronicles, @blackmamasmatter, or @balancedblackgirl).If you’re not a Black woman:-Amplify Black voices in healthcare conversations.-Donate to or volunteer with Black-led orgs.-Challenge bias when you see it whether it’s in conversation, a waiting room, or at a policy table.-Educate yourself on historical and current injustices and take that awareness offline into action.For Everyone:-Demand better research representation in clinical trials.-Support Black-founded wellness and health brands.-Call out medical misogyny and racism when you see it.-Share this episode because real change starts with real conversations.