Serena Williams and Inequality in Women's Health Care

Black women are less likely to receive hormone replacement and complementary therapies to manage symptoms in perimenopause and menopause than white women, despite often experiencing worse symptoms (4,5).

Mesmerized by Serena Williams dance in the spotlight during the Superbowl Halftime show, I couldn’t help but think about her amazing career and the medical challenges she faced after the birth of her daughter. Being an elite athlete with fame did not save her from a system that doesn’t listen to women, especially Black women.

In a powerful personal essay, How Serena Williams Saved Her Own Life, tennis legend Serena Williams shared her frightening ordeal (1). The world watched in awe as she dominated the tennis court, but behind the scenes, Williams faced a deeply troubling reality that many women, especially Black women, experience in healthcare—being dismissed and not taken seriously by medical professionals.

Serena’s story is an important reminder of how healthcare systems fail Black women. After giving birth to her daughter, Williams experienced complications, including a pulmonary embolism, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. Despite having a history of blood clots and informing her medical team about her concerns, Williams was initially ignored. It wasn’t until she insisted on further testing that the doctors discovered the blood clots, potentially saving her life.

Unfortunately, Serena’s experience is not an isolated incident. Black women, particularly in the United States, are disproportionately affected by health disparities, especially when it comes to maternal care. Williams' experience highlights the systemic issues that exist in healthcare, where women of color often do not receive the same level of care and attention as their white counterparts. It’s a painful and dangerous reality that needs to be addressed.

Health Disparities and Maternal Mortality

According to the 2021 CDC reports, the maternal mortality rate for Black women in the U.S. is still shockingly high. Death related to pregnancy or childbirth for Black women is 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 26.6 for white women, which is 2.6 times higher than for white women (2). This significant disparity is related to inadequate medical care before, during, and after the birth of a baby.

Not only are the mortality rates for Black women much higher than for white women, but Black women often don’t have their complaints about pain taken seriously. The issue isn't just about pain management during childbirth where Black women are less likely to receive interventions to reduce pain in labor and after birth, it’s about the systemic neglect and underestimation of the unique challenges faced by Black women in the healthcare system (3).

Perimenopause, Menopause, and Black Women’s Health

When Black women enter perimenopause and menopause, they face unique health challenges that are often misunderstood or dismissed by the medical community. Research reflects that Black women may experience more severe symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, depression, and anxiety, compared to white women (4). Yet, studies have shown that Black women are less likely to be offered hormone replacement therapy or other treatments that could improve their quality of life during this phase (5).

This lack of adequate care during menopause has a significant impact on the health outcomes of Black women. The absence of proper diagnosis and treatment can lead to worsening physical and mental health, ultimately affecting their overall well-being and quality of life. When healthcare providers ignore or downplay the unique needs of Black women during this stage, they perpetuate a cycle of inequality and neglect that only worsens with age.

The Demand for Change

Serena Williams’ decision to speak out publicly about her experience is an important step in raising awareness about the deep-rooted issues of racial inequality in maternal care. Her story is a call to action for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and everyone to address these disparities head-on.

To improve outcomes for Black women, healthcare systems must confront the myths and biases that persist in medical practice. Training healthcare providers to recognize and combat racial biases, advocating for better pain management practices, and ensuring that Black women’s voices are heard during childbirth and beyond are crucial steps in addressing these disparities. Access to quality care during perimenopause and menopause must be improved to ensure that Black women can navigate these transitions with the support they need.

It’s clear that Serena Williams’ experience is part of a larger issue, a system that fails to prioritize the health and well-being of Black women. By amplifying stories like Williams’ and calling for change, we can work toward a future where all women, regardless of race, receive the care and respect they deserve.

Until then, we must continue to fight for equal healthcare for Black women, and for every woman whose voice is ignored or dismissed. The health of women everywhere depends on it.

References

1.    Williams, S. (2022, April 5). How Serena Williams saved her own life. Elle Magazine [online]. https://www.elle.com/life-love/a39586444/how-serena-williams-saved-her-own-life/

2.    Hoyert, D. (2023, March). Maternal mortality rates in the United States, 2021. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/maternal-mortality/2021/maternal-mortality-rates-2021.htm

3.    Badreldin, N., Grobman, W. A., & Yee, L. M. (2019). Racial disparities in postpartum pain management. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 134(6), 1147–1153. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003561

4.    Gold, E. B., Colvin, A., Avis, N., Bromberger, J., Greendale, G. A., Powell, L., Sternfeld, B., & Matthews, K. (2006). Longitudinal analysis of the association between vasomotor symptoms and race/ethnicity across the menopausal transition: Study of women's health across the nation. American Journal of Public Health, 96(7), 1226–1235. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2005.066936

5.    Harlow, S. D., Burnett-Bowie, S. M., Greendale, G. A., Avis, N. E., Reeves, A. N., Richards, T. R., & Lewis, T. T. (2022). Disparities in reproductive aging and midlife health between black and white women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Women's Midlife Health, 8(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40695-022-00073-y