Seen But Not Heard: The Hidden Cost of Racism on Health Care Access for African American Women in Mississippi

Research Impact Story: Seen But Not Heard

This downloadable PDF was designed to share the impact and results of the Institute for Advancement of Minority Health’s community-led research project.

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The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health conducted a study to understand how perceived racism affects care-seeking and patient-provider interactions. 

The findings revealed that all participating women experienced discrimination when accessing health care. Particularly, they received less favorable insurance and care due to their race, leading them to delay care, avoid providers, and disengage from the health care system entirely. 

As a result, the Institute is now partnering with the Mississippi Medical Association, State Department of Health, and educational institutions to integrate culturally and linguistically appropriate care practices into medical training and policy, while also developing a Community Research Fellows Training Program to empower community members to address local health inequities.

Learn more: 

• Grantee Page: Examination of the Effect of Implicit Bias and Perceived Discrimination on the Provision of Health Care among African American Women Ages 18-44 in MS
• Blog: Listening to the Voices of Black Women 
• AcademyHealth Grantee Reflections Interview