IV. Health Indicators and Disparities
V. Case Studies on Black Women’s
Health indicators are essential to understanding the lived of Black Women in California. Multiple studies have highlighted significant disparities in disease prevalence, mortality, and overall access to health care. Mental & Physical Health: • Multiple Sclerosis: Non-Hispanic Black Women have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of MS in Northern California: 677 per 100,000 (Romanelli et al., 2020). • Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. for African American women. Despite lower incidence, mortality among Black Women is 41% higher than white women due to delayed diagnosis and poorer access to care (American Cancer Society, 2024). • Cardiovascular Health: Black Women have elevated rates of hypertension, stroke, and diabetes. Social stressors (racism, poverty, caregiving burdens) are key contributors (AHA, 2022; MSMU, 2023).
CASE STUDY: Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence in Northern California A retrospective analysis conducted from 2010 to 2016 in Northern California has provided valuable insight into the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) across different racial and eth nic groups. The study by Romanelli et al. focused on a multi-ethnic population served by Sutter Health across 20 counties and identified striking disparities in MS prevalence among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), Hispanics, and nonHispanic Asians. Key Findings: • The overall direct-standardized prevalence of MS across the studied counties was 288.0 cases per 100,000 population. • Age-adjusted prevalence was notably highest among non-Hispanic Black Women, recorded at 677.0 cases per 100,000 population 4. This rate was substantially higher compared to non-Hispanic White women and other racial/ ethnic groups, indicating that Black Women in Northern California are disproportionately affected by MS. • The study also noted differences in the types of MS phenotypes, with more progressive forms (primary-progressive and progressive- relapsing) being observed among minority groups, including Black Women. This evidence highlights a significant health concern among Black Women in Northern California, suggesting that targeted epidemiological surveillance and healthcare interventions are urgently required to address the elevated risk. CASE STUDY: Breast Cancer Disparities Breast cancer is another major public health concern where racial disparities have been
• Black Women in California have a 41% obesity rate.
• Black Women’s STI and HIV rates 5x higher than white women in the golden state.
• Reproductive and Maternal Health:
• Maternal Mortality: Black Women are 4 to 6 times more likely to die from pregnancy- related causes than white women in California (CDPH, 2022). • Teen Births: Rates among Black Girls have declined but remain higher than the state average due to structural inequities in education, health, and economic support (MSMU, 2023).
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2025 STATE OF BLACK WOMEN
IN CALIFORNIA
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