Is Racism Causing Stroke In Black Women?

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By Alexa Spencer, Word In Black

In a new study, Black women who reported interpersonal racism in employment, housing, and interactions with police, had an estimated 38% increased risk of stroke compared to those who didn’t.

A Black woman clutches her head. (FG Trade via Getty)

Black women who experience racism may be more likely to suffer or die from a stroke, according to a new study.  

Data from Boston University’s Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS) — the largest follow-up study on the health of Black women in the United States — revealed that Black women who reported racism in employment, housing, and interactions with police, had an estimated 38% increased risk of stroke compared to women who didn’t report experiencing racism. 

“Our findings suggest that the high burden of racism experienced by Black U.S. women may contribute to racial disparities in stroke incidence,” Shanshan Sheehy, an author of the study and an assistant professor of medicine, said in a statement.

See how the study was conducted.

Black women are also at a higher risk for stroke due to preeclampsia in pregnancy.

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