“We Weren’t Heard Until It Was Too Late”: Navigating Inequities in Healthcare as Black Women in the U.S.

Abstract

This qualitative research project investigates the lived experiences of Black women navigating the U.S. healthcare system. Through semi-structured interviews with participants of different socioeconomic backgrounds, geographic locations, and reproductive histories, we identified systemic and interpersonal dynamics that perpetuate disparities in healthcare. The major themes discovered through our research include: Medical Dismissal Gaslighting of pain and other concerns, Financial & Structural Barriers due to cost and access to quality healthcare, the value of Cultural Concordance & Representation, Self-Advocacy as a survival tactic and the impact of Patient-Centered Experiences. The findings reveal that while some participants reported positive experiences, most described navigating racism, neglect, and the emotional toll of invisibility. Our research approach heightens the complexity of existing statistical data by focusing on the lived experiences for Black women, advocating for racial equity and person-centered care policies