The impact of chronic stress on Black women’s health

Black women face unique challenges at the intersection of race and gender, often resulting in significant stress that can lead to adverse health outcomes. This phenomenon, known as weathering, has been explored by public health researcher Arline Geronimous in her book Weathering. The concept seeks to highlight the role of systemic oppression and chronic stress in shaping the health disparities experienced by Black women. The reality of weathering Contrary to the narrative that blames individual behaviors for health issues, weathering points to the broader societal factors that contribute to the health struggles of Black women. Chronic stress from living in a racist society is a significant factor that can lead to conditions like obesity and other stress-related illnesses. Diverse perspectives on weathering While some health care professionals have reservations about the term weathering, fearing it may imply fragility, others, like clinical social worker Melissa Ifll, recognize its accuracy in describing the exhaustion and health symptoms Black women face. The term encapsulates the physical and emotional toll of systemic discrimination and its impact on health. Real-life impacts and institutional stressors High-profile examples, such as the experiences of actress Taraji P. Henson and academic Claudine Gay, illustrate the stressors Black women encounter...