Breaking the Silence on HS: Why Black Americans Deserve Better Care

Many Black Americans are living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) without even knowing it—often dismissed by doctors, misdiagnosed as boils or acne, or left untreated due to stigma and healthcare barriers. At BlackDoctor.org’s second annual “State of Black Health: What Now Black Health” Summit, Jade Curtis, Executive Editor of BlackDoctor.org, led a powerful discussion on HS awareness, diagnosis, and treatment.  Meet the Panelists  Dr. Mondana Ghais, MD, FAAD, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Tono Health Charity Williams, Director of Patient Marketing at UCB Both panelists are passionate about empowering patients with the knowledge and resources to manage HS and advocate for better care. The “Love Your Skin: HStory” panel, hosted in collaboration with USA TODAY, explored everything from debunking myths to addressing the emotional toll of HS. The discussion emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and education, and highlighted the need to break the cycle of silence in the Black community. Key Takeaways from the Panel 1. What is HS, and Why is it Misdiagnosed? HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful nodules, abscesses, and tunnel-like tracts under the skin, primarily in areas like the armpits, groin, and inner thighs. “Hidradenitis suppurativa, we also call it HS,...