🖤 Wellness Wednesday: Stop the Stigma – Prioritizing Black Health is Not Optional

Let’s have a real conversation.

Today, I had the honor of sitting in on a symposium designed to offer healthcare providers extra incentive to treat African American patients more equitably. At first, it felt like a win — finally, a system recognizing the gap in care and trying to do something about it. But then, the bigger question hit me:

Why is this even necessary in 2025?

Do we, as a community, avoid doctors more than others?  

Are we not taking care of ourselves the way we should — or the way other groups do?  

Or is the system simply not built to protect us?

The answer, unfortunately, is all of the above — and the cost is devastating.

📉 The Truth About Black Health Disparities

In the African American community, we are more likely to die from conditions that are completely treatable, simply because we don’t always receive the same quality of care or don't access care at all.

Here are just a few examples:

- Breast Cancer: Black women are less likely to be diagnosed early and 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.

- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Black adults have among the highest rates of hypertension in the world, and are more likely to suffer strokes and heart disease.

- Diabetes: We are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and suffer from related complications like amputations and kidney failure.

- Maternal Mortality: Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die during childbirth, even when income and education levels are comparable to white women.

- Colorectal Cancer: Black people are 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from it.

These numbers aren’t just statistics — they represent our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends.

🧠 Why the Stigma?

In many Black households, talking about mental health, going to the doctor, or discussing personal health issues has long been taboo. “Just pray about it.” “Ain’t nothing wrong with you.” “Keep it in the family.” Sound familiar?

That mindset may have been rooted in survival, in strength — but now, it’s hurting us.

 🛑 It’s Time to Stop the Stigma

This is not about blaming ourselves. This is about taking ownership of our health in a system that doesn’t always see us.

We must:

- Get regular screenings — even when we feel fine.  

- Ask questions — and demand answers.  

- Prioritize checkups over convenience.  

- Talk about health — openly, loudly, and unapologetically.  

- Encourage our men to go to the doctor — not just when they’re in pain.  

We can no longer afford to be silent. Our survival depends on our awareness.

 ✊🏾 Be the Change. Share the Truth.

This post isn’t about fear — it’s about empowerment. About legacy. About breaking generational chains of silence and stigma.

📣 If this message resonates with you, share it. Tag someone you love. Leave a comment with your story. Start the conversation at your dinner table, in your group chat, in your church, in your barbershop or salon.

Let’s normalize Black wellness.

#WellnessWednesday #BlackHealthMatters #StopTheStigma #BlackAndWell #HealthEquityNow #BlackLivesMatterInHealthcare