The Black Women's Health Study(BWHS)
Celebrating 30 Years of Research Addressing Health Disparities and Advancing Black Women's Well-being
BLACK WOMEN’S HEALTH STUDY
Dec 6
By Ellen E. Grant, PhD, LCSW-R- former Deputy Mayor, Continuing Community Leader
Ellen E. Grant, PhD, LCSW-R
The Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS) celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025. Located at Boston University, this important study was born out of the need to understand why Black women’s health outcomes were not faring as well as those of other majority populations. It was found that Black women were often the last to be included in health research studies—if they were included at all.
Researchers at Boston University undertook an exhaustive process of collecting enough data to present a proposal to the National Institutes of Health for research funding. This funding was secured. A focused questionnaire was then sent to various Black female organizations, including the Black Nurses Association and Essence magazine, inviting women to complete the questionnaire and become research participants in the study.
Reading Essence magazine was, in fact, how I became interested in becoming one of the 59,000 research participants in this now-closed project. Western New York alone has approximately 1,300 participants.
Annually, each of the 59,000 participants responded to a questionnaire regarding their health status. This information is compiled to identify additional areas of health research that may need to be addressed within the Black female population.
Research topics and findings have been shared through numerous scientific publications, presentations at professional conferences, and media outlets. These topics include lung cancer, cognitive health (including dementia), sickle cell disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, preterm birth, and many other issues impacting Black women’s health.
Recent research findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, and the Society for Epidemiological Research, including work on depressive symptoms in relation to breast cancer mortality. Additional presentations were made at the Women’s Health Symposium at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. I had the honor of participating as a presenter at the Roswell Park program, which included local women who are part of the Black Women’s Health Study. They shared positive feedback on how they believe the BWHS has impacted their lives.
Here are some of the questions being investigated within the BWHS:
- Why does breast cancer occur more commonly among young Black women than among young White women?
- Does exercise protect against the occurrence of breast cancer in Black women?
- Does diet influence the occurrence of breast cancer in Black women? If so, which nutrients or foods?
- Why does lupus occur more commonly in Black women?
- Why does premature birth occur more commonly among Black infants?
- Do repeated stressful experiences affect the occurrence of various illnesses in Black women?
- What behaviors help to keep Black women healthy?
These are just a few of the many areas of research included in the BWHS. The study has also hosted webinars on topics such as “Healthy Aging: Mind, Body & Soul” and COVID-19, among others.
The BWHS has highlighted the ongoing need to examine Black women’s maternal health, among many other research priorities, to better understand why premature births occur more frequently among Black infants.
One study that caught my attention was titled “Listen to the Whispers Before They Become Screams: Addressing Black Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the United States,” led by researcher Anuli Njoku.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 50,000 women in the United States suffer from pregnancy complications annually, and that Black women are at least three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to White women.
Additionally, the CDC reports that in 2023, there were approximately 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births among Black women, compared to 14.5 among White women.
Many of us may recall what happened to tennis professional Serena Williams during her first pregnancy. After being admitted, she informed her doctor of her history of blood clots and requested a heparin drip as part of her treatment. It took persistence on her part to receive the necessary attention as she began coughing and experiencing significant difficulty breathing.
This serves as a cautionary reminder for all of us to remain vigilant and to ensure that Black women receive the care they need during pregnancy.
These statistics and stories underscore the urgency for continued research, advocacy, and action to address the health disparities faced by Black women. By listening to their experiences and prioritizing their well-being, we can work toward a future where every woman receives the care and respect she deserves—leading not only to safer pregnancies, but to healthier lives for generations to come.
The BWHS will continue to be a cornerstone of vital research for Black women’s health.
