Women’s health justice forum in Kissimmee to address disparities, open dialogue

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – When it comes to health care, patients shouldn’t have to prepare for unfair treatment or risk being insulted by a physician because of how they look.

According to a poll released in December by KFF, a health policy research group, many patients of color — including three in five Black respondents — admit they go as far as changing their clothes to dress differently in hopes of warding off unfair treatment at least some of the time when seeing a doctor.

The poll found that 55% of Black respondents said they feel like they must be very careful about their appearance to be treated fairly at medical visits. That’s similar to the rate for Hispanic and Alaska Native patients – and nearly double the rate for white patients.

Nearly 30% of Black respondents prepare to be insulted, also about double the rate for white patients. You can read more about the results of the survey in this Associated Press story.

The Orlando chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is encouraging community members to get engaged in an open dialogue, addressing the challenges women of color face in health care.

The organization is partnering with the Black Empowerment Community Council to host a forum called ‘Why Don’t They Listen to Me: A Women’s Health Justice Forum” on Thursday, March 28, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Solid Rock Community Church located at 1904 Michigan Ave. in Kissimmee. The event is free and open to the public.

The forum will have a group of panelists including nurse practitioners, doctors, social workers and community leaders. They’ll be answering questions, sharing experiences and continuing the conversation guided by the audience.

The panelists will talk about their experiences in the health care industry as well as the disparities women of color face in health care. They’ll also talk about current and upcoming laws within the legislature related to the topic.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is a historically African American sorority founded in 1920 on the principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. The organization consists of more than 125,000 members worldwide with the Epsilon Epsilon Zeta Chapter based in Orlando, Florida. The organization continues to support community initiatives through service projects, advocacy programs and educational development.