What’s Killing Women of Color: A Simple Look at a Big Problem
Published: April 2nd, 2025
by Garcia Family Medicine
At Garcia Family Medicine, we care about every single person who comes to us for help. Right now, we want to talk about something really important: why women of color are dying from health problems more often than others. It’s not right, and we’re here to explain it in a way that’s easy to understand. We’ll use facts and numbers to show what’s going on and tell you how we can help. If you have any questions, call our office at 816-427-5320—we’re here for you!
Heart Disease: The Silent Killer
Heart disease is the biggest reason women in the U.S. pass away, but it’s way tougher on women of color. For Black women, it’s a huge deal. In 2022, heart disease caused 25% of deaths for Black women—that’s 1 out of every 4 who died. The death rate for Black women from heart problems is 19% higher than for White women. So, if 100 White women die from heart disease, about 119 Black women do. Why does this happen? Things like high blood pressure and stress from unfair treatment make it worse. Plus, Black women can get really sick during or after pregnancy with stuff like preeclampsia, which is when blood pressure gets dangerously high. They’re five times more likely to die from these pregnancy heart issues than White women. That’s a big difference!
Cancer: A Hard Battle
Cancer is another major killer, and it doesn’t treat everyone the same. For Black women, breast cancer became the top cancer cause of death in 2019, beating out lung cancer. Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women. Picture this: if 100 White women die from breast cancer, about 140 Black women do. That’s a lot more! Even though doctors have better ways to treat cancer now, Black women often find out they have it later, when it’s tougher to fix. This can happen because they might not get regular checkups or face delays in seeing a doctor.
Pregnancy Problems: A Scary Risk
Having a baby should be exciting, but for women of color, it can be risky. Black women are 3.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy problems than White women. In 2022, the maternal death rate for Black women was 49.5 out of every 100,000 births, while it was just 14 for White women. That means if 14 White moms die out of 100,000, about 50 Black moms do. What causes this? Things like eclampsia, which is seizures during pregnancy, and heavy bleeding after birth. Black women are five times more likely to die from eclampsia than White women. This isn’t just about their bodies—many don’t get good care fast enough because of unfair treatment or not having a doctor nearby.
Diabetes: A Hidden Danger
Diabetes is when your body can’t manage sugar well, and it’s a big problem for women of color. About 1 in 4 Black women over 55 have diabetes—that’s 25 out of 100. For White women, it’s only about 12 out of 100. That’s twice as many! Diabetes can cause heart attacks, kidney trouble, or even death if it’s not taken care of. Why is it worse for Black women? They might not have healthy food options nearby, or they can’t exercise as much. Plus, stress from tough situations can make blood sugar harder to control.
Why This Keeps Happening
Why are women of color dealing with these health problems more? It’s not just about how their bodies work—it’s about the world they live in. Lots of women of color don’t have easy ways to see a doctor or get insurance. Some live where healthy food is hard to find or costs too much. On top of that, unfair treatment because of race—like doctors not taking their pain seriously—makes things worse. This is called structural racism, and it’s a big reason these health differences exist. For example, studies show Black women often get less pain medicine or fewer tests than White women, even when they’re just as sick.
How Garcia Family Medicine Helps
At Garcia Family Medicine, we’re not just talking about this—we’re doing something about it. We make sure our care fits who you are and where you come from. If you’re a woman of color, we listen extra close to what you say. We check for heart problems, cancer, and diabetes early so we can stop them before they get bad. For moms-to-be, we keep a close eye on you to make sure you and your baby stay safe. We also help you find ways to eat better and move more, even if money’s tight. And we stand up for you—pushing for better care and fairness in health for everyone. Got questions? Call us at 816-427-5320!
What You Can Do
You can help yourself too! Try to get checkups when you can—ask us about free or cheap options if you need them. Eat more fruits and veggies, even just a little bit more each day. Walk or dance for 30 minutes a few days a week—it’s good for your heart and sugar levels. If you’re pregnant, tell us right away if something feels wrong. And if a doctor isn’t listening, don’t be shy—speak up, and we’ll support you. Call us at 816-427-5320 if you need advice!
The Bigger Picture
These numbers aren’t just facts—they’re about real people. Sisters, moms, daughters, and friends. At Garcia Family Medicine, we see you, and we’re here to help make things better. Women of color deserve good health, and together, we can make it happen—one visit, one healthy step, one voice at a time. If you’re worried or want to talk, give us a call at 816-427-5320. We’re ready to help!
Our Commitment to You
At Garcia Family Medicine, your health and safety are our top priorities. We’ll continue monitoring this situation and sharing updates as they become available. If you have concerns about this recall or any medical topic, feel free to reach out to our team—we’re here to help.
Stay safe and informed,
Garcia Family Medicine
References:
American Cancer Society. (2022). Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans. Shows breast cancer deaths for Black women.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2021). Heart Disease and Black Women. Explains heart risks during pregnancy.
American Journal of Public Health (AJPH). (2021). Racial Disparities in Maternal Mortality. Details pregnancy death rates.
SisterSong. (2020). Reproductive Justice and Black Women’s Health. Talks about diabetes and care gaps.
Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). (2024). Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity. Covers why these gaps happen.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Diabetes Prevalence by Race. Gives diabetes numbers.
Population Reference Bureau (PRB). (2021). Maternal Health Inequities. Shows pregnancy risks by race.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2023). Black Maternal Health Crisis. Explains eclampsia deaths.
American Heart Association. (2019). Cardiovascular Disease in Women of Color. Details heart disease stats.
WomenHeart. (2022). Inequities in Health Outcomes for Women of Color. Talks about unfair treatment in care.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. Consult a doctor for medical advice. Call Garcia Family Medicine at 816-427-5320 for personalized care.
