Exploring Health Disparities Among Black American Women of Reproductive Age

Black American women are at a unique and complex intersection in that they make up a racial and gender minority demographic in the United States. Within the literature, there is some evidence of health disparities among Black American women of reproductive age, suggesting greater risk for cancer, chronic conditions, health risk behaviors, and mental health. However, most of the literature surrounding this population focuses on maternal health outcomes such as maternal mortality and morbidity, leaving a gap in the literature regarding other health disparities that affect this population. Using secondary data analysis of cross-sectional public health surveys, this work found significant evidence of health disparities faced by Black American women of reproductive age. These findings add to the current literature which lacks emphasis on areas outside of maternal health among this population and inform future directions for public health research, clinical practice, and health policy. Guided by the NIMHD Research Framework, this work established that individual, interpersonal, community, and societal-level factors significantly influence health outcomes and perpetuate disparities among Black American women of reproductive age.