Black women in the U.S. face significant disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of uterine fibroids [1, 2].
These gaps in care reflect broader systemic biases in healthcare delivery and a lack of research funding for conditions that disproportionately affect women of color [1, 3]. Because fibroids can cause debilitating symptoms, limited access to newer therapies often results in lower quality of life and delayed medical interventions [2, 3].
Lifetime prevalence of uterine fibroids among women is estimated between 70% and 80% [1]. While the condition is widespread, the burden of disease and the barriers to effective care are most acute for Black women [1, 2]. These disparities are driven by socioeconomic barriers and a history of under-funding in fibroid research compared to other medical conditions [1, 3].
Global data shows varying prevalence rates, though access remains a challenge worldwide. In India, studies of women of reproductive age report prevalence between 20% and 40% [4], while some Indian studies report rates as high as 77% [4].
Efforts to bridge these gaps have included targeted initiatives. On Sept. 23, 2020, Myovant Sciences announced the Forward for Health Equity grant program to address these inequities [3]. Despite such programs, experts said that systemic bias continues to hinder the delivery of effective therapies [2, 4].
Medical professionals said that while effective therapies exist, they are not distributed equitably [2]. The combination of clinical bias and financial barriers means many women only receive treatment after their symptoms become severe, often leading to more invasive surgical options than may have been necessary with earlier intervention [1, 2].
“Lifetime prevalence of uterine fibroids among women is estimated between 70% and 80%.”
The disparity in fibroid care is not merely a clinical failure but a systemic one. When research funding is neglected and healthcare delivery is influenced by racial bias, the result is a tiered system where life-altering treatments are accessible to some but not others. This suggests that improving outcomes will require a combination of increased federal research investment and a fundamental shift in how providers treat women of color.
