The Role of Structural Gendered Racism in Effective Healthcare Utilization among Black American Women with Herpes Simplex Virus

Abstract

The sexual health of Black women has been compromised by racial and discriminatory healthcare practices from slavery through current medical and institutional barriers to care. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that identifies the link between stigma, gendered racism, and historical underpinnings that contribute to ineffective healthcare utilization of Black women diagnosed with the chronic sexually transmitted infection (STI), genital herpes. This paper also draws attention to different social factors that act as barriers to effective healthcare utilization and influence the health outcomes of Black women beyond individual factors. Using a socio-ecological framework, this paper reviews multi-level (i.e., individual, interpersonal, community, and institutional/policy) influences of the experience of genital herpes among Black women. Recommendations are provided to improve the ability of health systems and medical providers to deliver appropriate services to diverse populations, thereby improving healthcare utilization and reducing disparities for Black women.

Prevalence and structural correlates of HIV and STI testing among a community-based cohort of women sex workers in Vancouver Canada

“…Findings suggest the need for future research and interventions to address racial inequities in HIV/STI testing among Black and Women of Color sex workers, including through supporting community-led HIV and sex work organizations which are comprised of and support Black and Women of Color. Systemic efforts to recognize, measure, and dismantle systemic racism within and beyond the health system are needed to support access to safe and inclusive HIV/STI testing, prevention, and care services for Black and Women of Color, whose needs remain sorely neglected in the Canadian context and elsewhere[ 50 , 53 , 54 ].…”

Enhancing the care experiences of Black women along the breast cancer journey: Meaningfully engaging breast cancer survivors to co-create a targeted, culturally relevant resource hub

“…36 This is exemplified through the unique social location of Black women that differs from non-Black women, in which they experience the racial and gendered bias of the healthcare system and society at large, leading to health inequities. 39 The central goal of Black feminism is to empower Black women and to build a stronger movement for Black liberation by addressing the social injustice caused by intersecting oppressions. 40 Black feminism thought is an oppositional methodology to the traditional Eurocentric paradigm that contends that there is one single truth and relies on the knowledge and interest of dominant groups to guide research.…”

“…40 Black feminism thought is an oppositional methodology to the traditional Eurocentric paradigm that contends that there is one single truth and relies on the knowledge and interest of dominant groups to guide research. 39 Rather, Black feminism thought values and utilizes the knowledge of Black women as experts in their own lives and experiences. This approach comes with the recognition of power imbalances that exist between researchers and whom they are seeking expertise from.…”

Examining Health-Seeking Behavior among Diverse Ethnic Subgroups within Black Populations in the United States and Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Thus, these mixed results highlight the need to examine healthcare utilization patterns among specific subgroups of racial and ethnic minorities. Past research showed that healthcare utilization is lower in Black communities; however, only a few studies explored the relationship between social determinants of health, health-seeking behavior, and healthcare utilization among specific subgroups in Black communities, including African, Afro-Caribbean, and other Black-identified groups [ 32 , 33 ]. Thus, our study contributes to filling this knowledge gap by examining how racial, ethnic, cultural, and social identities shape health-seeking behavior among African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, and people of African descent in the United States and Canada.…”