Many know of the controversy surrounding the syphilis experiment conducted in Tuskegee, Alabama by the U.S. Public Health Service at the Tuskegee Institute. During this experiment, African American males were withheld from getting treatment for syphilis. However, not many people know about the controversy surrounding Dr. J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology.” Sims is greatly known for perfecting a surgery to cure vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). Vesicovaginal fistula is a tear that extends from the bladder to the vagina which is caused by obstructed labor. During the time period of 1845 to 1849, Sims used female slaves to experiment by performing multiple surgeries (up to 30 surgeries on a female slave) without anesthesia, as there was a belief
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Even in the 21st century, there continues to be racism in our health system. Take for example how even today there might still be the belief that people of color are able to “tolerate” pain better than Whites. According to the Institute of Medicine in a study conducted in 1999, doctors administered less pain medications to African American and Latino patients who came to the Emergency Room for bone fractures. When we look at mental health, we can see that there are even greater disparities in regards to treatments and resources given to African American patients. African Americans are given more anti-psychotic medication than any other patients. On the other hand, within thirty days of their first depression symptoms, fewer African American patients are given anti-depressant medication than White …show more content…
All of these factors have a correlation to a higher occurrence of mental disorders; making African American women a vulnerable to mental disorders. Even though African American women have high occurrences of mental disorders, their usage of mental health services is low. This is caused by stigma that surrounds mental disorders, and that is especially prevalent within the African American community. African American women tend to perceive mental disorders, especially depression, as problem caused by personal weakness, and not as a health problem. For this reason, African American women tend to cope with their mental disorders without the use of mental health treatments, such as medication. Instead, they prefer religious ways to cope. Although there have been studies indicating that religious coping mechanisms can help people suffering from mental disorders, it can also hinder them seeking help from mental health professionals, and often times religious leaders have little to no training on how to help people with mental
Even in the 21st century, there continues to be racism in our health system. Take for example how even today there might still be the belief that people of color are able to “tolerate” pain better than Whites. According to the Institute of Medicine in a study conducted in 1999, doctors administered less pain medications to African American and Latino patients who came to the Emergency Room for bone fractures. When we look at mental health, we can see that there are even greater disparities in regards to treatments and resources given to African American patients. African Americans are given more anti-psychotic medication than any other patients. On the other hand, within thirty days of their first depression symptoms, fewer African American patients are given anti-depressant medication than White …show more content…
All of these factors have a correlation to a higher occurrence of mental disorders; making African American women a vulnerable to mental disorders. Even though African American women have high occurrences of mental disorders, their usage of mental health services is low. This is caused by stigma that surrounds mental disorders, and that is especially prevalent within the African American community. African American women tend to perceive mental disorders, especially depression, as problem caused by personal weakness, and not as a health problem. For this reason, African American women tend to cope with their mental disorders without the use of mental health treatments, such as medication. Instead, they prefer religious ways to cope. Although there have been studies indicating that religious coping mechanisms can help people suffering from mental disorders, it can also hinder them seeking help from mental health professionals, and often times religious leaders have little to no training on how to help people with mental