Angelina Jolie, renowned actress and human rights advocate, is using her influence to draw attention to racial bias in health care, particularly in cases involving domestic violence.
In a thought-provoking op-ed published on July 5, Jolie highlighted the impact of racial prejudice on medical diagnoses, using personal experiences to illustrate the issue.
“As a mother of children of multiple races, I’ve seen my children of color misdiagnosed, sometimes in ways that put their health at risk,” Jolie wrote.
She has six children, three of whom are people of color, including her daughter Zahara, of Ethiopian descent.
Jolie shared a personal anecdote involving Zahara’s medical care to emphasize how medical professionals sometimes lack cultural competence.
“When my daughter Zahara was hospitalized for a procedure, the nurse advised me to call her ‘if she turns pink near her incisions.’ I stood there, puzzled, unsure if she realized the implication of her words.
After she left, I discussed with my daughter that we would have to rely on our judgment to detect signs of infection, given the nurse’s well-intentioned but misguided advice.”
In the op-ed, Jolie calls for greater diversity and representation in health care, urging the development of technology that accurately identifies injuries on darker skin tones.
She notes that despite her family’s access to top-notch medical care, they still face misdiagnoses due to racial biases and the continued prioritization of white skin in medical practice.
This issue is particularly crucial for domestic violence survivors of color, who Jolie points out are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to correctly identifying and documenting their injuries. This places them at greater risk of further abuse.
Jolie’s activism extends beyond her written work. She has been an advocate for women’s rights and racial equality. In February 2022, she and Zahara helped introduce the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act to the U.S. Senate.
The bill, signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2022, is aimed at protecting women from violence and supporting survivors.
Jolie’s personal experiences and advocacy underscore the need for a more equitable healthcare system that serves all people, regardless of race or background.
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