America's system of mass incarceration has greatly exacerbated the racial and gender inequities across our nation. Black and immigrant women are in the sights of the overlapping prison system, deportation system, and widespread sexual assault. This month's reading list focuses on these women who are incarcerated, and elevates their stories in their own voices.

YWCA's Health Access programs work to increase wellness and safety in our community and reduce systemic barriers that drive inequities in health care access, chronic disease, and life span. We talked with Kiasha Gamble and Maisy Lane from YWCA's Health Access programs about how the healthcare system prevents us from achieving racial equity.

Medical racism is the systematic and wide-spread racism against people of color within the medical system. It includes both the racism in our society that makes Black people less healthy, the disparity in health coverage by race, and the biases held by healthcare workers against people of color in their care.

Current news and updates about the impact of the public health crisis on YWCA's programs. Last updated: July 20, 2020 at 3:26 p.m.

This month we're exploring how our healthcare system can perpetuate inequity. Below we've compiled a reading list written entirely by Black women focusing on the intersection of race, gender, and health in a variety of circumstances, including living with a disability, working as a Black doctor, and navigating the mental health system.

Our healthcare system is a maze for most, let alone folks who are furthest from privilege and opportunity. Studies show that for Black women especially face challenges receiving respect and care from medical professionals. That’s why peer-support and advocacy programs like YWCA’s BABES Network can be so crucial.