BIO

I am a first-generation college student from Belle Glade, Florida. I really enjoy conducting research on underserved populations, particularly Black immigrant women in the United States. Being that I myself am Haitian, I find it interesting to examine how my people, along with other Caribbean people are treated by American healthcare. By learning more about these disparities, I believe that I can play a hand in dismantling these systems that do more harm than they do good. I am currently majoring in nursing and I hope to be able to earn my Master's degree by my anticipated undergraduate graduation year which is 2027. In the near future, I hope to earn my DNP and conduct clinical research for the benefit of society. Other than research and academics I volunteer at the TMH hospital, am involved in the founding chapter of National Society of Black Women in Medicine (NSBWM), Unconquered Scholars, CARE, as well as Presidential Scholars. I am very grateful for UROP and its role in my first year here at FSU. Because of UROP, I was catapulted into a world that I want to continue to discover, the world of research!

Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities among Afro-Caribbean Women in the United States

Abstract

A persistent problem among Black women in the U.S. is sexual and reproductive health disparities. Ethnic and cultural backgrounds, customs, norms, and values drastically vary among the Black diaspora in the United States (U.S.). Moreover, one in ten Black people in the U.S. are immigrants. Yet, in research, people are viewed with minimal to no regard for their nativity. This comprehensive literature review aims to address this gap by focusing on the sexual and reproductive health disparities faced by Afro-Caribbean (i.e., Black Caribbean) women in America. We searched four databases: PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, and MEDLINE. Peer-reviewed articles and grey literature published within the last ten years were included in this review. Studies were included in the review if they reported on the sexual reproductive health outcomes of Afro-Caribbean women in the U.S. and Canada and were published between 2014 and 2024. Findings from the review highlighted disparities in healthcare utilization, social support needs, and challenges in accessing HIV/AIDS services among Afro-Caribbean women and other foreign-born women. This literature review revealed that sexual reproductive health disparities exist between foreign-born Black women and native-born Black women. In addition, this review highlighted the inequities in accessing quality healthcare among foreign-born Black women in America. Research is limited on Afro-Caribbean women regarding sexual and reproductive health disparities. To better serve the sexual and reproductive health needs of Black women in the U.S., more research is needed that considers the ethnic and cultural differences within the U.S. Black population.

Keywords: disparities, sexual, maternal, health, reproductive