Be Heard: 10 Ways Black Women Can Get Better Care at the Doctor

For three years, I lived with rheumatoid arthritis and didn’t know it.

I went to the doctor. I explained my symptoms. I knew something wasn’t right. But I didn’t know how to advocate for myself. I didn’t know what questions to ask, when to push for more answers or when to seek another opinion.

Meanwhile, the disease progressed.

The pain and inflammation in my knees and feet became so severe that I needed four cortisone injections and went to urgent care five times in one year. By the time I was finally diagnosed, I was on crutches and couldn’t lift my arm high enough to comb my own hair.

Then a new doctor took over the practice. After reviewing her patients’ medical files, she called me and told me I needed to see a rheumatologist right away.

That call changed the course of my health.

I often wonder what might have been different if I had known then what I know now. The damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis can be irreversible, and I think about that first doctor’s visit — what if I had known not only that I needed to speak up, but what to say, what to ask and how to advocate for myself to make sure my concerns were heard and taken seriously.

That experience is one reason the work of the African American Wellness Project (AAWP) is so important to me. As board chair of AAWP, I am committed to helping people access trusted health information and practical tools to navigate the health care system and become stronger advocates for their own health.

For Black women, those tools can be especially important. Our health is affected by access to quality care and broader social determinants of health. Research has also documented implicit bias in health care, which can influence interactions and clinical decision-making.

The responsibility for addressing these inequities belongs to our health care system. But until equitable care is the experience of every patient, we need to know how to advocate for ourselves.

These disparities have real consequences. For Black women, being heard, believed and treated appropriately can sometimes be a matter of life and death.

There are practical things we can do before, during and after a doctor’s visit to become more active participants in our care. And one of the simplest, most powerful questions we can ask is: “How can we be more sure?”

Whether we’re discussing a diagnosis, test result, treatment or unexplained symptom, that question can open the door to a deeper conversation about the evidence, other possibilities and next steps.

1. Choose a doctor you trust and who listens to you.

Do your homework. Consider credentials and experience, but also whether the doctor communicates clearly, takes your concerns seriously and treats you as a partner in your care.

Ask yourself: “Do I feel heard, respected and comfortable asking questions here?”

2. Come prepared.

Bring an updated list of medications and supplements, your medical and family history, changes in your health and your most important questions. Keep key information in your phone or patient portal so it is easy to access.

Say: “I wrote down the things I want to make sure we discuss today.”

3. Know what preventive care you need.

Don’t wait until something is wrong. Use routine visits to talk about prevention and the screenings, vaccines and other care that may be appropriate for you.

Ask: “What screenings, vaccines or preventive tests should I have based on my age, health and family history?”

4. Tell the whole story, not just why you made the appointment.

Mention relevant changes in sleep, energy, weight, mood, menstrual or menopausal symptoms, pain, medications and other aspects of your health. Details that seem unrelated may still matter.

Say: “There are a few changes in my health I want to make sure we discuss.”

5. Be specific when something doesn’t feel right.

Explain when the symptom started, whether it is changing and how it affects your daily life. Don’t rely only on a pain score—describe what you can no longer do.

Say: “This is not normal for me, and it is affecting my daily life.”

6. Ask questions until you understand and feel confident in the plan.

Don’t leave confused about a diagnosis, test result, medication or recommendation. Ask your doctor to explain the reasoning and what information supports it.

Ask: “Can you explain what this means for me?” And then ask: “How can we be more sure?” If something still doesn’t feel right, keep asking: “What else could it be?” or “Should I see a specialist?”

7. Make sure your health history is reflected in your care.

Guidelines are important, but your family history, age, sex, race, medical history and other individual factors may be relevant to your care.

Ask: “Do my family history, age, sex, race or medical history change what you recommend for me?”

8. Understand your medications and treatment options.

Know why a medication or treatment is being recommended, what benefits and side effects to expect, whether there are reasonable alternatives and how you will know if it is working.

Ask: “Why am I taking this? What are the benefits and possible side effects? Are there other options? How will we know if it’s working?”

9. Bring an advocate and seek another opinion when you need one.

A trusted friend or family member can listen, take notes and help you remember questions. If you still don’t feel heard or remain uncertain about an important diagnosis or treatment, it is reasonable to seek another qualified opinion.

Say: “I’m still concerned, and I’d like another opinion.”

10. Never leave without knowing what happens next.

Make sure you understand the follow-up plan, who will communicate test results, when you should return and what changes should prompt you to call sooner.

Ask: “What should I do next? When should I see you again? What should I be watching for? When should I call you?”

Why This Matters

Research has documented troubling disparities in the care Black women receive. Black women are more than three times as likely as White women to die from pregnancy-related causes, and studies have found racial differences in how pain is assessed and treated, how symptoms are evaluated and whether patients feel their concerns are heard and taken seriously. These gaps have multiple causes, including access to care, social determinants of health, differences in care quality and implicit bias, which can shape how symptoms are interpreted and addressed.

Changing these outcomes requires a health care system where every patient receives the same high-quality care. Until then, knowing what to do and what to ask remains an important part of protecting our health.

Ask questions. Seek answers. Speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

Your voice is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect your health. Use it!