A new study reveals that women with darker skin tones are significantly more likely to avoid seeking birth control due to concerns about discrimination, highlighting persistent racial disparities in reproductive healthcare access. Researchers surveyed 1,299 women aged 18-44 in Harris County, Texas about their experiences with discrimination in reproductive health settings.
The study found that compared to women with the lightest skin tones, those with darker skin were up to 7.6 times more likely to avoid seeking birth control because of discrimination concerns. This association remained significant even after adjusting for race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors.
“This provides further evidence that structural and individual racism continues to have far-reaching and insidious consequences,” the authors note. They emphasize that colorism – discrimination based on skin color – plays a major role in negative reproductive health experiences.
Over 20% of women reported experiencing discrimination when seeking birth control due to their race or ethnicity. Black women were 12.4 times more likely than white women to avoid birth control due to discrimination concerns, while Hispanic women born outside the U.S. were 10.3 times more likely.
The researchers argue that addressing colorism in healthcare is critical as the U.S. becomes more diverse. They call for developing and testing strategies to reduce discrimination and ensure equitable reproductive care for women of all skin tones.
“We must intentionally develop, test, and disseminate strategies to ameliorate harm and ensure well-being for all,” the authors conclude.
See “Skin tone discrimination and birth control avoidance among women in Harris County, Texas: a cross-sectional study” (September 2, 2024)
