Turning Stories Into Statistics

Historically, women of color have been profoundly underrepresented in medical research. As a result, the realities of our concerns, risks, pain management, and needs have too often been overlooked, minimized, or dismissed. Treatments are developed without us in mind, and care models are still centered on a default patient who is white, male, and whose lifestyle and risk factors look very different from our own. The consequences are serious: women of color face higher mortality rates, lower rates of successful treatment, and greater barriers to an accurate diagnosis. 

Studies have confirmed these inequities and limited research for women of color in the healthcare system. The gap is even more striking for women of color living with multiple chronic illnesses and comorbidities, where studies are nearly nonexistent. This absence means your stories, struggles, and triumphs are not being fully seen or represented.

At HERstory In Color, we are determined to change that. To confront these disparities, we must first shine a light on them, and that begins with data. Your voice is the foundation of this work. By sharing your experiences through our survey(s), you are helping us uncover patterns and build a foundation for solutions.

We also want to celebrate what works. Honest feedback about positive healthcare experiences allows us to identify effective practices that deserve to be expanded and replicated.

This is only the beginning, and your participation is a vital first step. Thank you for lending your voice to this effort. Together, we can create the evidence needed to demand better research, stronger care, and a healthcare system that truly sees us.

For analytics, we have partnered with Principled Research Resources, L3C, who will conduct the analysis of this de-identified data on our behalf. To learn more about their work and expertise, please visit their website at https://www.principledresources.com/.