Leaders in Women's Health

---

The Leaders in Women’s Health exists to fight health disparities in the African American community. We envision a world where all people have access to all aspects of health, no matter the color of their skin, socio-economic status, or gender. 

In 2011, the Carol Milgard Breast Center commissioned the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to assess how the organization could best target underserved and at-risk populations in Pierce County with outreach and mammography services. The analysis showed that there is significant variation in the incidence of breast cancer, the use of mammography, and socioeconomic barriers to care throughout Pierce County. 

Specifically the study found the following: 

• » African American women diagnosed at a regional or distant stage are more likely to die of breast cancer than other women diagnosed at the same stage. 
• » African American women are more likely to die at a younger age from breast cancer than any other race of women. 
• » Breast cancer death rates and premature death from breast cancer were higher in Tacoma, than any other city within Pierce County, despite relatively high rates of mammography screening. 
• » Breast cancer incidence, hospitalization and death increased dramatically with age in Pierce County, as elsewhere in the nation. 

These findings support national statistics, but for the first time, local data was interpreted and validated. The Carol Milgard Breast Center engaged consultants to convene and facilitate a series of listening sessions which eventually engaged 6 churches, two civic groups and 79 participants. 

From this work emerged the Leaders in Women’s Health – an amazing group of volunteers deeply committed to changing the narrative for women of color regarding breast health.