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How chronic back problems affect Black communities differently

Chronic back problems affect Black communities differently through factors like elevated prevalence rates of high-impact chronic pain and increased severity. Black people also appear to have worse functional outcomes than their White counterparts. A study on chronic low back pain published in ScienceDirect, for instance, noted that Black participants had higher pain intensity than White […]

Published

4 months ago

February 22, 2026

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Chronic back problems affect Black communities differently through factors like elevated prevalence rates of high-impact chronic pain and increased severity. Black people also appear to have worse functional outcomes than their White counterparts.

A study on chronic low back pain published in ScienceDirect, for instance, noted that Black participants had higher pain intensity than White participants.

Several variables drive such musculoskeletal problems and back pain disparities, from healthcare access inequality to higher prevalence of occupational risks. There’s also the ongoing issue of Black patients reportedly receiving lower-quality treatment and healthcare services.

What Are Common Back Problems?

Some of the most common back problems that affect U.S. adults include:

Muscle strains and sprains
Disc herniation
Degenerative disc disease
Arthritis
Spinal stenosis

Back pain is highly prevalent. According to the National Council on Aging NCOA, 16 million U.S. adults experience chronic back pain (CBP). CBP is back pain that persists for at least three months.

What Are the Warning Signs of a Serious Back Problem?

The symptoms and severity of back pain can vary significantly from one person to another, as some people may tolerate pain better than others. Still, several signs could indicate you have more than just a pulled muscle.

Severe or persistent pain that doesn’t improve after a few days of self-care and rest
Pain, numbness, or a pins-and-needles sensation that radiates down the legs
Loss of coordination or weakness (difficulty standing, walking, or controlling the legs)
Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control

If you experience any of the symptoms above, please don’t delay seeking professional help, as you may need neurosurgical care. Expert neurosurgical care can help relieve pain in the back, arm, leg, and neck caused by spine conditions, as explained by the experts at this spine center in Denver, CO.

It’s even more crucial to get immediate assistance if you’re having trouble with coordination and bladder/bowel function. It could indicate cauda equina syndrome (CES). CES is a rare medical emergency resulting from severe nerve root compression that requires immediate medical intervention.

How Do Chronic Back Problems Affect Black Communities Differently?

As some of the most common Black community health issues, back problems affect Black people differently in that they’re more likely to report high-impact chronic pain and more severe pain. They also tend to have worse functional outcomes.

Key contributors to these differences are various racial health inequities, from bias to systemic, socioeconomic, structural, and psychosocial factors.

Racial Bias

Racial bias can stem from various factors, including inaccurate beliefs regarding biological differences between White and Black people.

An article published in Behavioral Health News cited an earlier study that found 50% of White medical students and residents have endorsed at least one of these misconceptions. Due to these biased beliefs, they rated Black patients’ pain as lower compared to White patients’.

As a result, the medical students’ treatment recommendations were less accurate than those for White patients.

Systemic and Socioeconomic Factors

Systemic and socioeconomic factors that contribute to back problems affecting Black communities differently include disparities in health insurance and reduced access to quality healthcare facilities.

Such barriers limit Black patients’ treatment options. They contribute to the progression or worsening of their condition.

Structural Racism and Stress

Historical and ongoing structural racism, including in healthcare, can contribute to higher levels of anxiety and stress among Black people. Unfortunately, these factors have direct adverse effects on physical health and chronic pain management.

According to KFF, for instance, experiences of discrimination and racism can increase the risk for poor health outcomes. It can lead to adverse physical and mental health effects, such as hypertension, anxiety, and depression.

Psychosocial Factors

Negative experiences and cultural factors can lead to Black people’s increased level of distrust in the medical community.

Indeed, a study published in the National Library of Medicine states that Black and African Americans report higher levels of mistrust of healthcare providers, services, and systems. It also notes a strong association between medical mistrust, lower use of preventive care services, and poor health outcomes.

Why Does Addressing Health Disparities Matter?

Addressing racial disparities in Black communities matters because it’s key to breaking the long-standing cycle of socioeconomic inequality. Chronic pain has a strong association with socioeconomic disparities, as it can contribute to more days of missed work and lost wages.

Another reason is that structural and systemic inequalities, combined with higher pain severity, make Black people experiencing chronic pain more likely to develop mental health problems. They have a higher risk of experiencing anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

By addressing racial disparities, Black communities can receive the equitable, high-quality healthcare and treatment they deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Ways to Prevent Back Problems?

Yes, there are many ways to prevent back problems, including maintaining a healthy weight and practicing good posture. Using correct lifting techniques (e.g., bending at the knees while keeping the back straight and holding loads close to the waist) can also help.

Engaging in regular low-impact exercise can be just as beneficial to back health. Walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, and water aerobics are some examples.

If you work in the office and your job entails sitting for long hours in front of a computer, ergonomic adjustments can do wonders for your back. Adjust your chair height so that your feet stay flat on the ground, and ensure your computer monitor is at or just slightly below your eye level.

Make it a habit to stand and stretch your arms and legs once or twice every hour, too.

How Do You Fix Back Pain?

Fixing back pain depends on the underlying problem, although first aid includes cold and hot therapy (applying ice or heat). You should also stay active with light activities rather than resting for hours in bed.

Gentle stretching can also help. If necessary, take anti-inflammatory medications like naproxen or ibuprofen. If the pain persists, worsens, or is severe, seek professional help ASAP.

Black Patients Deserve Quality Care for Back Problems

Since chronic back problems affect Black communities differently in terms of pain severity and functional outcomes, it’s time to address and eradicate systemic and racial biases that contribute to these differences.

Find more informative guides and the latest news by exploring the rest of our website for other related reads like this.

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Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled

BLACKPRESS USA NEWSWIRE — “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”
The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

6 days ago

June 8, 2026

Oakland Post

By National Women’s Law Center

The National Women’s Law Center released its annual State Child Care Assistance Policies report, finding that the number of children placed on waiting lists for federally funded child care assistance nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025 — and that number has only continued to grow.

The report serves as a key resource for state lawmakers, advocates, and policymakers by tracking state child care assistance policies and identifying where states are strengthening support for families and early educators — or falling behind.

“This deeply troubling increase in the number of children on child care waiting lists is the result of a failure to invest in this crucial sector,” said Karen Schulman, senior director of state child care policy and author of the report. “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”

Key findings in the report related to waiting lists for child care assistance include:

• 17 states had waiting lists or a freeze on intake for child care assistance in February 2025, up from 13 states in February 2024.

• Approximately 106,700 children nationwide were added to waiting lists between February 2024 and February 2025, bringing the total to 225,500 children in February 2025 — a 90 percent increase compared to February 2024.

• The numbers climbed even further between February 2025 and summer/fall 2025, with more than 175,000 additional children added to state waiting lists in just a few months — a 78 percent increase.

• At least seven states newly began placing families on waiting lists or freezing intake, while at least 10 additional states saw their waiting lists grow, after February 2025.

The report also includes state-by-state data on key child care assistance policies, including income eligibility limits, parent copayments, provider payment rates, and eligibility policies for parents searching for work.

Click the link to learn more: Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025.

The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy

ROLLING OUT — Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport.
The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

The seven-time major champion read frustration, not a real goodbye, in the world No. 1’s words

By David Kesiena | Rolling Out

When the world’s top-ranked player said she wanted to walk away from the sport, Venus Williams chose empathy over alarm.

Aryna Sabalenka’s blunt remark after her French Open quarterfinal collapse rattled plenty of fans, but Williams heard something different in it. The seven-time Grand Slam champion treated the comment as the raw reaction of a hurting athlete rather than a serious signal about her future.

The collapse that triggered the comment

Sabalenka looked headed for a routine win over Diana Shnaider. She took the opening set 6-3 and built a commanding lead in the second, climbing to 4-1 and later serving for the match at 5-4 while sitting just two points from victory.

Then everything unraveled. Shnaider stormed back to steal the second set 7-5 and bageled the world No. 1 in the third, with Sabalenka dropping 12 of the final 13 games in gusty conditions that reached around 26 mph. The 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 result sent Shnaider into her first Grand Slam semifinal and extended Sabalenka’s long wait for a maiden Roland Garros title.

In the aftermath, Sabalenka did not soften her feelings. She told reporters she had no thoughts and no emotions left and felt like quitting on the spot. She described being stuck in a deep, dark mental hole during the match, unable to find her way back.

What Venus Williams said about Sabalenka

Williams reacted with understanding. She admitted the moment made her sad and said she had been swept up in Sabalenka’s emotions, feeling a surge of empathy for her. She praised the Belarusian for laying everything bare on court, where every feeling shows.

Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport. Rather than scold her, Williams offered a gentle observation about the rhythm of professional tennis. She suggested players might benefit from a little more time to gather themselves before stepping in front of the cameras, a quiet acknowledgment that athletes are routinely asked to dissect painful defeats before the sting has faded.

Sabalenka walks it back

The story did not end on that bleak note. Within days, Sabalenka signaled she was not actually quitting, framing the press-conference outburst as heat-of-the-moment honesty rather than a plan. At the time of the loss she had also left the door open, saying she would see how she felt in a few days and hoped to get back on track mentally. The walk-back lined up with how Williams had read the situation from the start.

It is not the first time a Paris quarterfinal has pushed Sabalenka to her limit. In 2024 she exited at the same stage and skipped her press conference entirely because of illness, with the tour later releasing her quotes on her behalf. The pattern underscores how heavily this particular tournament has weighed on her despite deep runs in recent years.

For now, attention shifts to the grass. Wimbledon offers Sabalenka a quick chance to reset, and a strong showing there would turn this French Open meltdown into a footnote rather than a turning point.

Originally published by Rolling Out — https://rollingout.com.

The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue

THE CAROLINIAN — Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.
The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

By Judaea Ingram | Special to The Carolinian

RALEIGH, N.C. – Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite.

At the center of the event stood a simple but powerful reminder:

“You Matter.”

For Darkness RISING, those words represent far more than a slogan. They reflect the organization’s mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community while creating spaces centered on healing, honesty, and hope.

Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.

The organization hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including block parties, wellness workshops, mixers, kickoff events, community classes, and Darkness RISING: Live — a free annual arts and wellness festival now celebrating its ninth year.

The festival combines entertainment with healing-centered resources, featuring live music, dancing, singing, food trucks, Black vendors, children’s activities, mental health resources, wellness spaces, and opportunities for open conversations about mental health.

While the events may feel celebratory on the surface, organizers say the deeper purpose is creating safe spaces where people can feel comfortable discussing mental health without fear of judgment.

Darkness RISING also provides free nationwide resources, including a Black Mental Health Resource Packet, a Black Mental Health Provider Database, and its “Find Me a Therapist” initiative, which helps connect individuals with culturally competent care.

The organization’s work is rooted in addressing longstanding inequities that continue impacting mental health access within Black communities.

Historically, segregation, redlining, racial discrimination, incarceration, poverty, and unequal healthcare access have contributed to higher rates of behavioral health challenges while simultaneously limiting access to proper treatment and support. Darkness RISING approaches those issues through what organizers describe as a transformative justice lens, focusing on healing rather than punishment and creating equitable wellness opportunities for marginalized communities.

Its REBUILD program specifically supports justice-involved and formerly incarcerated people of color through free therapy and wellness support, while the REBUILD Youth program focuses on young people impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs.

For Rudolph, therapy became life-changing after decades of incarceration and years of rejection after returning home.

“Came home in 2015, started my own computer company, investing in real estate, did the normal thing and got some jobs here and there and was met with rejection after rejection and people telling me I am not a good person,” Rudolph shared. “Even had a rejection in church.”

He said one of the hardest battles became overcoming the mental barriers created during incarceration.

“I got in touch with a couple of friends, and they explained to me how I had to get over the mental hurdles and get rid of the way my prison mindset was in order to survive and become successful,” he said.

Rudolph later moved to North Carolina hoping for a fresh start, but the struggle continued.

“Things were looking bad,” he said. “Could not get a job. The struggle was real.”

Eventually, therapy and support through organizations like Darkness RISING helped begin his healing process. He said working alongside other justice-involved men through therapy gave him the ability to rebuild mentally while finding community with people who understood his experiences.

Stories like Rudolph’s reflect the foundation behind Darkness RISING’s mission: ensuring people feel seen, supported, and worthy of healing regardless of their background or circumstances.

Community members who attend the organization’s events often describe them as emotionally transformative.

Some participants say Darkness RISING encouraged them to seek therapy for the first time, while others say the organization gave them a safe space to openly discuss struggles they previously kept hidden.

“I have been encouraged by the beautiful, generous, brave and open individuals who come together and use their talents to create art, share personal experiences and provide hope to those who may be struggling with mental health,” one participant shared.

By combining art, wellness, education, and community outreach, Darkness RISING continues changing how mental health conversations happen within the Black community.

Not through silence.

But through healing, honesty, connection, and joy.

Originally published by The Carolinian — https://caro.news.

The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.