Access to healthcare has been a significant issue throughout Black history in the United States. From slavery to segregation to modern-day disparities, Black individuals have faced barriers to accessing quality healthcare services.

During slavery, enslaved individuals had little to no access to healthcare. They often relied on traditional remedies and the limited care provided by fellow enslaved individuals or plantation owners. After emancipation, Black Americans continued to face discrimination in accessing healthcare. Many hospitals and medical facilities were segregated, with Black patients receiving lower quality care compared to their white counterparts.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s helped to bring attention to the disparities in healthcare access. The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped to pave the way for desegregation in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Medicaid and Medicare, established in 1965, also helped to increase healthcare access for low-income individuals, many of whom were Black.

Despite these advancements, racial disparities in healthcare access and outcomes persist today. Black Americans are more likely to be uninsured, face barriers to accessing preventive care, and experience higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Structural racism, implicit bias, and socioeconomic factors all contribute to these disparities.

Efforts to address healthcare access in Black history have included advocacy for Medicaid expansion, increased funding for community health centers, culturally competent care, and efforts to diversify the healthcare workforce. The fight for equitable healthcare access continues to be a pressing issue in Black communities and in society at large.