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| Have you experienced medical gaslighting? |
| The term “gaslighting” has become more common in recent years. People often use it when describing manipulative behavior in personal or business relationships. But the term also applies to your relationship with healthcare professionals and institutions. |
| Women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to experience medical gaslighting. That’s when a healthcare professional causes you to doubt your perception of reality. They could be: |
- ignoring your self-assessment of your own pain
- not listening to you while you speak or not engaging in conversation
- casually blaming your symptoms on obesity or your menstrual cycle
- not providing you with alternative treatment options
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| You may not even be aware that you’ve experienced medical gaslighting, as these behaviors can be subtle. Take our quiz to learn more and discover how to advocate for yourself. |
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| Working toward maternal health equity |
| Black birthing parents are three times as likely to die during childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications than their white peers. While socioeconomic factors can sometimes account for disparities in health outcomes for certain conditions, inequality in maternal health outcomes persists at all income and education levels. |
| “It is not their fault. It is not because they aren’t doing the right things. It is way bigger than them,” says Monique Rainford, an OB-GYN and the author of “Pregnant While Black: Advancing Justice for Maternal Health in America.” |
| Rainford notes that the reasons for maternal health inequity are deep-rooted — connected to the legacy of slavery and the effects of structural racism today. |
| But we can help bridge the gap, with solutions such as increasing access to quality care and offering unbiased education resources. We can also empower Black women to share their stories and to feel more in control of their bodies. |
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| Good health starts with good nutrition |
| The higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, stroke, and cognitive decline in African Americans have been linked to certain dietary patterns. But that doesn’t mean you need to abandon that soul food plate. |
| Soul food, part of a rich cultural heritage, already comprises several nutrient-rich ingredients and healthy, leafy green vegetables. Traditional African diets are typically plant-based with several healthy fruits, vegetables, and grains. |
| Simple changes that can help lower your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure include: |
- adding more plant-based foods
- favoring whole grains
- seasoning with herbs instead of salt
- trimming away visible fat from meats
- trying less heat-intensive cooking methods
- swapping out lard in favor of olive oil
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