Health care for Black women in Alberta
As we are all too aware, accessing healthcare in Alberta can be challenging for anyone, but for Black women, the experience is often even more difficult. By acknowledging the unique barriers they face, we can learn how health-care workers can contribute to building a system that better serves Black women and others facing similar obstacles.
In a December 2024 study, Mary Olukotun, Lucy Karanja, Aloysius Nwabugo Maduforo, and Andre Renzaho interviewed 30 Black women from Edmonton and Calgary. They identified two major facilitators for improving health-care access: patient-provider dynamics and social network strengths.
At the heart of a positive health-care experience is the relationship between patient and provider. Participants emphasized how feeling heard and respected was crucial in their care. When providers take the time to communicate effectively and show empathy, it builds trust, improving both the experience and health outcomes. However, this doesn’t happen by chance. It requires a health-care system that has enough well-trained providers who can spend time understanding each patient’s needs and concerns.
A diverse health-care workforce is also key. The interviewees identified that receiving care from someone with a similar cultural background can make a significant difference in their comfort level. However, there were interview participants who identified feeling comfortable with physicians of other ethnicities as well. The key driver was having a strong, trusting relationship with their healthcare providers. This kind of relationship is built over time and requires a health-care system that values continuity of care. It’s not just about seeing a doctor for a single visit, but about creating an ongoing partnership that encourages women to stay engaged in their health journey.
The study also revealed a critical flaw in the system: Black women who are lucky enough to have a social network that includes a family or friend in health care identified this as a major factor to being able to advocate for quality care. While having a community to rely on is identified as an important factor for feeling supported, it shouldn’t be a requirement to know someone within the system to receive good care. A health-care system should ensure that all patients have equal access to the care they deserve, regardless of their personal connections.
To ensure that Black women can consistently access the care they deserve, we need to invest in a health-care system that prioritizes strong patient-provider relationships, cultural competence, and health literacy. A system that listens to and values its patients, particularly those from marginalized communities, will lead to better health outcomes for all.