Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
I write this during International Women’s Month—a time to celebrate women and focus on achieving equity in the areas where they deserve recognition. However, when we examine women’s healthcare, it is clear we still have significant ground to cover.
Historically, many of the foundational medical studies that underpin our health theories excluded women entirely. While there is a current push for inclusivity, we must ensure that women of all ethnicities are represented to account for subtle biological differences.
The future looks daunting when considering the cuts to programs that primarily support women. Reductions in Affordable Care Act subsidies, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program—all of which provide essential services such as food and care—are deeply concerning.
Additionally, the scaling back of programs addressing sexually transmitted diseases poses a major risk. We are seeing the effects of these cuts now, and we will continue to see them in the future as they result in inadequate care and nutrition during early developmental years.
Regarding the diseases that most frequently claim women’s lives, many people mistakenly believe that cancer is the primary threat. While cancer is indeed a major concern that requires extensive research and resources, the reality is that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women. More must be done to raise awareness.
A growing concern in the medical community is whether our current approach to blood pressure is accurate for everyone. Researchers are questioning if blood pressure data should be stratified differently and whether women should have different health goals than men.
Emerging data suggests we may need to be more aggressive in treating women’s heart health, potentially setting lower blood pressure targets than those for men. It is vital for women to ensure their readings remain below 120 systolic and 80 diastolic.
While we wait for more official data to be finalized, several simple adages remain essential for women’s health: prioritize 7–9 hours of sleep, maintain a healthy weight tailored to your specific body frame, and eat as cleanly as possible. Stay active, prioritize your mental health and reduce stress. Most importantly, stop trying to “leap tall buildings in a single bound”—you don’t have to do it all at the expense of yourself. As we celebrate International Women’s Month, let us look for ways to make the lives of all women and girls not just tolerable, but better.
Dr. Veita Bland is a board-certified Greensboro physician and hypertension specialist. Dr. Bland’s radio show, “It’s a Matter of Your Health,” can be heard live on Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. on N.C. A&T State University’s WNAA, 90.1 FM. Listeners may call in and ask questions. The show is replayed on Sirius 142 at 5 p.m. on Wed. Email Dr. Bland at ideas@blandclinicpa.com.
