The Strong Black Woman, Allostatic Load, and Poor Health Outcomes

Black women experience significant racial discrimination which generates chronic stress and affects their health. The cumulative burden of stress—allostatic load—engenders poor health outcomes. Chronic "wear and tear" increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, anxiety, and depression. Allostatic load is also associated with unhealthy lifestyle habits such as lack of physical exercise, unhealthy diet, and poor sleeping habits. The session will discuss how the 'Strong Black Woman' phenomenon helps Black women to navigate society, and it will highlight how it significantly harms their health.