A recent survey commissioned by the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention (AWHP) reveals alarming disparities in preventive care access among women in the United States. The study, which polled 3,199 women over 18, found that 42% of women either cannot or do not access key health services, with minority women facing even greater challenges.
Affordability emerges as a significant barrier, with 22% of women citing out-of-pocket costs as a reason for skipping preventive screenings. Competing priorities such as work, school, or childcare also play a role, affecting 19% of respondents. Perhaps most concerning is the lack of urgency, with 29% of women believing they don’t need preventive care.
The survey exposes stark racial disparities in healthcare access. While 55% of white women received vaccines in the past year, only 42% of Black women and 46% of Hispanic women did so. Cancer screening rates tell a similar story, with 50% of white women reporting lifetime cervical cancer screening compared to just 43% of women of color.
Information access also varies along racial lines. A significant 82% of white women feel they have sufficient information to make screening decisions, contrasting with only 74% of women of color. Moreover, 43% of Black women and 45% of Hispanic women report feeling stigma around seeking cancer services, compared to 23% of white women.
Dr. Haywood Brown, a board-certified OBGYN and AWHP board member, emphasizes the gravity of these findings, noting that Black women face higher mortality rates from breast and cervical cancers despite advancements in screenings.
As traditional healthcare becomes less accessible, many women turn to alternative sources for health information. Alarmingly, 39% view social media as a good resource for health information, with some even following advice found online. This trend underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare access and education to ensure all women receive proper preventive care.
See: “Preventive care access among women low amid info desert” (February 12, 2025)
