How can we prevent discrimination from happening?

Discrimination towards women of color when it comes to seeking medical help has always been an issue, and has been around for decades, but there are steps both patients and medical professionals can take to prevent discrimination against women of color. According to Mickelle West, Medical professionals could need more cultural and cultural sensitivity education when it comes to women of color and people of color in general, and with proper training medical professionals can treat patients better. "The standard that they learned on (Doctors) or they thought of was a white man, so here we are a whole other gender, whole other race. There is also this implicit bias with some healthcare professionals and they need training on that" (West,2025).

As for patients, who are women of color there are steps and boundaries that can be set so that proper care is being administered. As a Registered Nurse, Canary  Girardeau gives her advice to patients who are women of color. "Don't accept poor treatment, if you are in a situation where you have a doctor who doesn't believe you or seems to not want to give you the kind of treatment that you deserve, change doctors if possible and go to someone else" (Girardeau,2025). Another way women of color could prevent this, is through advocacy and understanding who you are. "have self-awareness, you have to be strong in your spot. In general follow your own intuition and be willing to advocate on behalf of yourself and educate yourself on your particular health concerns" (West,2025).

Canary Girardeau receiving a round of applause at the award ceremony of University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing. 

What can you do to advocate?

With that being said, medical professionals should educate themselves on women of color patients, while women of color should advocate for themselves and find doctors who suit them best. Another way people, especially young people can advocate and prevent this issue is by taking a stance. West advises young people who have a passion for this topic to find a platform and use it as a way to advocate for this issue and any other issue taking place that they hold close. "Always seize the opportunity to bring our topic forward because no one else going to make this important. "We have to springboard and take these opportunities to talk about our topics and make it important to other people, and if you ever have an opportunity to speak on this topic or do medical research, go for it" (West,2025).

Everyone, but especially young people has the opportunity to bring this topic forward. Being a part of groups or clubs like Model UN, being on a debate team, or just simply sitting down at a dinner table with family and friends can make a change and spread awareness towards racial and gender disparities women face when seeking medical attention

Organizations that are advocating for health equality 

National Coalition of 100 Black Women

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women is an organization built to help promote gender equity in health, education, and economic empowerment for black women.

Close the Gap 

Close the Gap helps to have more improvements in the healthcare system, clinical trial diversity, and equitable care advocacy. Close the Gap also aims to improve pathways to specific care and easier access to cardiovascular treatments for Black, Hispanic, and women patients.