An exploration of the perceptions of discrimination due to racism among hypertensive African American women.

摘要

The risk of cardiovascular mortality is greatly increased in African American women by their high prevalence of hypertension. African American women have the highest rates of hypertension at 45.4% as compared to 31% for white females, according to the American Heart Association.; The elimination of health disparities like this is one of the two overarching goals of Healthy People 2010's national public health agenda.; The purpose of this study was to explore the social meanings of race and ethnicity as embodied in the experiences of discrimination due to racism, in order to clarify the participants' perceptions of stress due to racism, and the role racial stress may play on their health.; This study used the qualitative tradition of Phenomenology, with a Hermeneutical Phenomenological approach. Participants recruited were asked to participate in focus group sessions to discuss their experiences. The specific aims were: (1) to describe the social meanings of race and ethnicity among hypertensive African American women; (2) to describe and document the subjective experiences of discrimination due to racism among hypertensive African American women; and (3) to describe hypertensive African American women's perceptions of the role stress from racism may play on their health, specifically their hypertension.; These women found race and ethnicity to be artificial or political terms that were interchangeable to ensure social separation and disempowerment. As Black women, they experienced challenges and daily battles due to perceptions that are held about blacks. They saw black women as strivers who overcompensate, doing more than is required. Finally their perceptions of racial stress caused feelings of frustration and anger, which can be demonstrated toward others or internalized. When internalized, the result could be negative health effects.; This study has implications for practice among those entering health care or in professional education of health care providers. Health educators and other service professionals may gain insights about client perceptions that shape behaviors; these insights may help providers better or more justly serve society at large.