Health Update: Black Women’s Health Focus at CIAA Wellness Summit – What Experts Say

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

As student-athletes battled it out at CFG Bank Arena during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, a critical conversation was taking place off the court on Feb. 26. The CIAA Health and Mental Wellness Summit brought together health care leaders, advocates and community members to confront the often-overlooked impact of chronic conditions, like fibroids and endometriosis, on Black women. 

According to the Society for Women’s Health Research, uterine fibroids, or benign growths in and around the uterus, more than 80 percent of Black women have fibroids by age 50. The organization reports that Black women face an earlier onset of fibroids, more severe pain and disproportionately higher rates of surgery and hospitalization. 

Endometriosis, a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, can take up to eight to 10 years to diagnose, according to the Yale School of Medicine. 

“I don’t know about you, but I cannot even begin to count how many sisters and friends have experienced these conditions that so often go untalked about,” said Tiffany Robinson, vice president for state government affairs at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. “We know that pain is often minimized, care is delayed and the very women most often affected are our sisters, women of color. We must navigate stigma, bias and systemic gaps that compromise our health and our quality of life.” 

Robinson framed fibroids and endometriosis not just as medical conditions, but as reflections of deeper inequities in the health care system, in which women of color are more likely to have their symptoms questioned and dismissed. This not only defers diagnosis but treatment— making advocacy even more important.

Building on that message, Laura Herrera Scott, chief care officer for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, highlighted the need for women to actively participate in their care and trust their instincts.  

“It’s really important to know your bodies better than your provider knows your bodies and to make sure that if you’re having symptoms, you continue to push and advocate for getting a confirmatory diagnosis instead of getting treated for other things,” said Scott. 

When women do feel ignored or misunderstood by their doctors, Scott said they should seek second opinions. 

“If you’re not getting what you need from your provider, you should look for another provider,” said Scott. “If you’re not getting what you need, ask your friends. Many women have had some experience with fibroids, endometriosis or both.” 

One woman who’s lived with both conditions is Jade Nicole Neverdon Merritt, nonprofit executive consultant. She began experiencing symptoms in her teens. 

Merritt recalled being told her pain was just menstrual cramps, treatable with common painkillers. In her early 20s, a gynecologist finally confirmed she had fibroids and endometriosis. The doctor told her one of her ovaries had been affected and recommended removal, but Merritt was hesitant— worried it could affect her ability to have children. Instead, she met with more providers until she found a care plan that felt right for her.

“The biggest piece around advocacy is how you feel on the inside— just a little piece that speaks to you and says ‘that doesn’t feel good,’ or ‘that doesn’t seem like the best decision for me,’” said Merritt. “I would encourage anyone to continue to search for answers until that small feeling inside of you encourages you to make the best decision.” 

Lauren R. Kornegay, founder and executive director of Endo Black, stressed the importance of medical research, especially as it relates to understanding disparities in Black women. 

Kornegay was diagnosed with the condition at age 20. Her own challenging journey with it led her to create Endo Black in 2019, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and advocating for Black women living with endometriosis.

She also emphasized that both endometriosis and fibroids should be understood as full-body conditions, instead of being confined to the reproductive system alone. 

“You need to recognize this as a whole body disorder. It is something that is in the womb; however, it impacts my brain. It impacts how I feel, my emotions and my mental health,” said Kornegay. “Looking at endometriosis and fibroids as a full body disorder is really helpful. It allows us to understand what our next step is.”