February is Black History Month—a time to honor the contributions and struggles of Black Americans throughout history. While it’s crucial to celebrate achievements, it’s also imperative to shine a light on ongoing challenges faced by the Black community today. Black Coloradans continue to struggle to bridge the educational attainment gap and overcome the long-term impacts of policies like redlining, segregation, police profiling and other policies that have prevented the building of generational wealth. But one issue area that we are continuing to fight to shed light on, is the issue of Black health equity, particularly in states like Colorado where disparities persist but are seldom acknowledged.
As a Black nurse practitioner and a member of the Colorado Black Nurses, I know wholeheartedly the devastating impact of maternal and infant mortality related to diabetes, pre-eclampsia and more.
When we delve into the data, stark disparities in health outcomes among Black Coloradans become glaringly apparent. For example, the rising rates of maternal mortality for Black mothers in Colorado and the nation should be viewed as a crisis. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. This startling disparity highlights systemic issues within the healthcare system, including biases in medical treatment, lack of culturally competent care, and unequal access to prenatal and postnatal services.
Another glaring health equity issue is the prevalence of diabetes. According to the Colorado Health Institute, Black Coloradans are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to their white counterparts. This alarming statistic reflects systemic inequities such as limited access to quality healthcare, healthy food options and education, and opportunities for physical activity and recreation in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Moreover, the overall mortality rate among Black Coloradans is significantly higher than that of their white counterparts. The Colorado Health Access Survey reveals that Black residents have a mortality rate that is 30% higher than that of white residents. This staggering gap underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of health inequities plaguing the Black community in Colorado.
To truly honor the spirit of Black History Month, we must confront these disparities head-on and commit to tangible actions that promote Black health equity. At the state level, there are several steps that lawmakers can take to address these inequities and create a more just and equitable healthcare system.
First and foremost, Colorado must invest in expanding access to affordable healthcare coverage for all residents, particularly those in underserved communities. This includes strengthening Medicaid expansion efforts, increasing funding for community health centers, and implementing policies that address the social determinants of health, such as housing insecurity and food insecurity. For example, Colorado is one of the few remaining states that doesn’t hasn’t provided comprehensive coverage for Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), the nationally recognized standard of care, for Medicaid patients with diabetes. This life saving device is covered for patients on Medicare or with private insurance, creating stark inequities for low-income patients, BIPOC communities with higher rates of diabetes, and for mothers on Medicaid with gestational diabetes. Other states from Kentucky to California have expanded access to this base-level of management care for diabetes patients, and Colorado should do the same.
Additionally, healthcare providers must undergo anti-bias training to recognize and address implicit biases that contribute to disparities in care. Culturally competent care must become the standard across all healthcare settings to ensure that Black patients receive the quality treatment they deserve.
We also should engage in investments in programs that specifically target the health needs of the Black community, such as diabetes prevention and management initiatives, maternal health support services, and mental health resources tailored to the unique experiences of Black Coloradans.
Lastly, policymakers must actively involve Black community leaders and organizations in the decision-making process to ensure that solutions are informed by the lived experiences and expertise of those most affected by health disparities. As we commemorate Black History Month, let us not only celebrate the achievements of Black Americans but also recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for Black health equity. By taking decisive action at the state level, we can begin to dismantle the systemic barriers that perpetuate health disparities and create a brighter, healthier future for all Coloradans.
Maisha Fields is an award-winning nurse practitioner, political organizer, and change agent dedicated to changing the way society responds to some of the most serious, expensive, and widespread public health crises of our time.