Racism and sexual health are closely linked. Discrimination based on race and ethnicity can lead to difficulties in accessing effective sexual health treatment among blacks, indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC). This may result in a higher rate of illness or damage.
Sexual health refers to physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality.
Sexual health issues are far-reaching and can include sexually transmitted infections, family planning, sexual relationships, unintended pregnancy, sexuality, and abortion.
Racism plays a role in preventing people from receiving adequate care due to health inequalities, or from healthcare providers neglecting, incredulously, or actively discriminating against patients.
This article explores some of the ways racism can impact sexual health and where people can find support.
What is racism?
Racism describes the oppression and unequal distribution of privileges between specific racial groups.
Some people may also refer to racial prejudice, the belief that one particular race is superior to another. However, this is different from racism, where a group is empowered to carry out discrimination through racist policies and practices.
Racism often results in the marginalization of people of color due to a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges people from white populations.
Unfortunately, research finds that there is racism in health systems, which can be detrimental to a person’s sexual health.
Racism and access to sexual healthcare
Access to and routine use of sexual health services is critical to wellbeing. However, a 2017 report notes that many people in the United States continue to struggle to afford full, routine access to healthcare.
Even when healthcare is available for ethnic minorities, fear and distrust of healthcare facilities can negatively impact their experience.
Social and cultural discrimination, language barriers, provider bias, or the perception that they exist can prevent people from seeking care.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for example point out that inequalities in STI healthcare may result from systemic, societal and cultural barriers to diagnoses, treatment and prevention services.
Health equality is the idea that everyone should have the chance to be as healthy as possible. Factors such as discrimination or lack of resources can prevent equal health opportunities.
Health inequalities affect us all differently. Visit our dedicated hub for an in-depth look at social inequalities in healthcare and what we can do to correct them.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
The CDC assumes that there are higher STI rates among some racial or ethnic minorities compared to whites.
Research also finds that social, economic, and behavioral factors influence the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. They find that these factors may pose barriers to STI prevention as they influence:
- social normality and stigma with regard to sexuality
- social and sexual networks
- , access to care
- , willingness to care
,
They also state that race and ethnicity in the United States are correlated with other factors that impact a person’s health. This includes:
- poverty
- limited access to healthcare,
- Fewer attempts to get medical treatment
- Living in communities with higher rates of STDs
,
leave,
This can be caused by the following:
- high level of distrust of the healthcare system
- Fear of discrimination by healthcare professionals
- Difficulties in accessing quality sexual health services
,
,
In a 2018 report, the CDC examined the prevalence of the following sexually transmitted diseases in the US
Chlamydia
The statistics on chlamydia were as follows:
- Black: 1,192.5 cases per 100,000 people. The cases among black women were five times higher than among white women. The cases among black men were 6.8 times as high as among white men.
- Indians and Alaska natives: 784.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 3.7 times the rate among whites.
- Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders: 700.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 3.3 times the rate among whites.
- Hispanic: 392.6 cases per 100,000 people, 1.9 times the rate among whites.
- Asian: 132.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The rate among whites is 1.6 times that of Asians.
gonorrhea
The statistics on gonorrhea were as follows:
- Black: 548.9 cases per 100,000 people, 7.7 times the rate among whites.
- Indians and Alaska natives: 329.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 4.6 times the rate among whites.
- Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders: 181.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 2.6 times the rate among whites.
- Hispanic: 115.9 cases per 100,000 people, 1.6 times the rate among whites.
- Asian: 35.1 cases per 100,000 people, half the rate among whites.
Primary and secondary syphilis
The statistics on syphilis were as follows:
- Black: 28.1 cases per 100,000 people, 4.7 times the rate among whites.
- Indians and Alaska natives: 15.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 2.6 times the rate among whites.
- Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders: 16.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 2.7 times the rate among whites.
- Hispanic: 13 cases per 100,000 people, 2.2 times as high as white people.
- Asian: 4.6 cases per 100,000 people, 0.8 times the rate among whites.
HIV
In 2018, of the 37,668 new HIV diagnoses in the USA:
- African Americans accounted for cases.
- Native Americans and Alaska natives accounted for less than 1% of the cases.
- Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders accounted for less than 1% of the cases.
- Hispanics accounted for cases.
- Asians accounted for 2% of cases.
27% of
How racism can impact women’s sexual health
Women may continue to experience discrimination and health inequality due to gender-based racism, a form of oppression that occurs as a result of the social constructs of race and race gender.
This is a form of intersectionality that refers to how social identities can be combined to create different types of discrimination and oppression.
Inequality and discrimination based on race and gender threaten the sexual health and well-being of BIPOC women.
A study from 2018, for example, suggests that gender-based racism may play a role in the differences in women’s sexual and reproductive health outcomes.
They found that black and Latino women reported a higher incidence of gender-based racism compared to white women. They also had a greater distrust of medical systems and the government when it came to birth control.
Women also appear to have a high probability of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and being exposed to sexual violence.
The World Health Organization (WHO) assumes that around 1 in 3 women worldwide are exposed to physical and sexual violence during their lifetime.
Sexual violence can have serious health consequences. A 2015 study finds that people who have experienced sexual assault are at risk of engaging with sexual
Teenage pregnancies
The Office for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion defines the term health inequality as a particular type of health disparity that is closely linked to social, economic or environmental disadvantages.
They also find that health inequalities affect those who have experienced systematic health barriers as a result of their ethnic or racial group.
It
also provides evidence of health disparities in teenage pregnancies.
In 2017, the birth rates of Hispanic and non-Hispanic black teens were more than two times higher than those of white teens.
Research from 2017 shows that the disparities in teenage pregnancies and birth rates are due to lack of access to health services and contraceptives. Social determinants such as income also have an effect on them.
The study states that African-American and Latino youth are less likely to be insured and have access to routine healthcare services.
Additionally, the likelihood of inadequate care is higher compared to white teens. This may impact social norms associated with reproductive health services and contribute to the unwillingness of access to these services.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
A study from 2016 finds that black and Mexican-American women have higher BV rates.
The prevalence rates are as follows:
- Black women: 51.6%.
- Mexican-American women: 32.1%.
- White non-Hispanic women: 23.2%.
The study states that those suffering from high mental stress were 2.2 times more likely to develop BV.
African American women are exposed to higher levels of psychological stress than white women.
To the
Stressors that may be associated with an increased chance of developing BV include racial discrimination and lower socio-economic status.
Where to find support
People can search for inclusive sexual health services using the following resources:
- Specialist Surgery Hospital
- National partnership for women and families
- Ford
- San Francisco AIDS Foundation
- National Health Law Program
- Urban Institute
Foundation
To
The organizations based in the UK include:
- NAZ
- Race Equality Foundation
mental health
Racism can have an impact on a person’s mental health. A person who has experienced racism may want to seek help from organizations that understand its impact.
Some organizations include:
- Therapy for Latinx: A mental health resource for the Latinx community.
- Therapy for black girls: An online space that promotes black women’s mental wellbeing.
- Black Emotions and Mental Health Collective: An organization that provides a list of black therapists who can provide telemental health services.
- Black Mental Health Alliance: providing information and resources to support the health of Black people and other communities.
Learn more about available mental health resources.
Executive summary
Many studies identify racial disparities in how marginalized groups in the US can access and obtain sexual health care. Social, economic, and behavioral factors can also contribute to these inequalities.
Prejudices and stereotypes can also create barriers to diagnoses, treatments, and prevention services.
When you
Seeking support from people and organizations that understand what it’s like to experience racism can help reduce the negative impact of racism on sexual health.