Black women and access to gynecological health: impacts of structural racism on health inequalities

Abstract

The study analyzes the impacts of structural racism on Black women’s access to gynecological healthcare in Brazil, highlighting historical and institutional inequalities that hinder care and the continuity of treatment. Black women, being at the intersection of race and gender, face specific barriers such as discriminatory care, hypersexualization, and denial of pain, which compromise their autonomy and overall health. To reflect on the impacts of structural racism on Black women’s access to gynecological healthcare, and to analyze the role of nursing in promoting comprehensive, fair, and anti-racist care. The research was based on an integrative literature review and document analysis. For the bibliographic survey, the SciELO and LILACS databases were used, where 8 articles were selected through filtering with descriptors and a time frame from 2015 to 2025. Territorial barriers and the perception of discrimination were identified, negatively influencing adherence to gynecological services and worsening health conditions. The role of nursing is highlighted as strategic in promoting equitable, humanized, and anti-racist care, through qualified listening, respect for ethnic-racial identity, and continuous professional training. Institutional racism manifests in explicit and naturalized practices, resulting in reduced access to preventive exams, inadequate guidance during prenatal care, and dehumanized treatment. The study proposes actions such as the inclusion of specific subjects in professional training, expansion of access in peripheral areas, valuing Black representation in healthcare, and targeted public policies. These efforts aim to break cycles of exclusion, ensure dignified healthcare for Black women, and strengthen equity in the Brazilian healthcare system.