The Black community has the highest reported incidents of preventative health conditions: hypertension, diabetes, obesity, etc. For every 1,000 births, 11 Black infants die, which is nearly double the national average rate of 5 infants. Following Indigenous Americans, African Americans have the highest rate of COVID deaths (~180 deaths per 100,000) in the U.S.
Healthcare disparity among the Black community is not a recent dilemma. Since the 1800s, racially-motivated treatment has plagued their community, and it’s about time we are educated on its devastating history.
1. Slavery
Shipped on a dangerously unhygienic boat, packed side-by-side like sardines, Africans were dragged into the American slave market. Until 1865, slaves were reduced to property, and therefore, were denied basic rights such as the dignity of good health. Slaves were overworked, physically abused, fed little to nothing, and sheltered in disease-ridden quarters. Only when necessary, a veterinarian would pay a visit, not even a physician.
African Americans suffered tremendously during this 200-year period. Clinicians took it one step further by weaponizing inaccurate disease diagnoses to alienate their community.
2.“A Report on Diseases and Peculiarities of the Negro Race”
In 1851, as part of the Louisiana Medical Association, Dr. Samuel Cartwright was assigned to research “Negro”-specific diseases. His findings described African-Americans to have smaller brains, more sensitive nervous systems, and a natural affinity to “servitude.” The centerpiece of his presentation was the coined term, “Drapetomania.” This so-called ailment was said to make slaves more hungry for freedom, which apparently stemmed from overly courteous behavior from slave masters. The prevention? Extra whippings and amputations.
By possessing an MD, Dr. Cartwright would be reputed as an expert. Yet, without any scientific basis, and led by his bias for pro-slavery, he portrayed African-Americans as unruly, inferior, and in need of extra discipline.
3. 1932 Tuskegee experiment
Despite slavery being abolished in 1865, Black people were still made to serve as guinea pigs for horrendous experiments. In exchange for free healthcare (the holy grail), 600 African Americans from Alabama participated in the “Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male.” 399 of the 600 already contracted syphilis, and were still thrown into the experimental group. However, they were completely oblivious to the true purpose of the study. The intent was to observe the progression of syphilis (till death) in black communities, but the participants were told they are being treated for “bad blood,” an umbrella term for general ailments.
The actual study lasted from 1932-1972, starting when there was no treatment for syphilis. By 1947, though, penicillin had been deemed adequate for inhibiting the infection. For the duration of the study, both the experimental and control group were given placebos, such as vitamins and minerals, yet even with penicillin rolling out, the treatment was withheld.
By the end of the 40-year study, less than 100 participants lived. The 500 black men either died of syphilis or complications of syphilis.
An unethical travesty indeed, these human beings were stripped down to cell-culturing bodies, all for the purpose of benefiting the predominant, “superior” white community.
4. Current problems
Many health issues faced by the Black community can be managed with a regular doctor’s visit, so why are we seeing such negative statistics? Because there are centuries of mistreatment still being experienced to this day.
There are still doctors who believe African-Americans have higher pain tolerances, so they will simply not prescribe painkillers. There are still hospital systems that will give an African American a lower triage score compared to a White person with the same trauma. There are still Black people who are unknowingly looped into risky experiments because a physician wants to test a new surgical procedure.
Persistent, institutionalized racism has ravaged the Black community for centuries, and the medical system still struggles to detach from its dark roots. As a society, we cannot change the system overnight, but the first step is to educate ourselves and acknowledge there is a problem.