Give to gain: why women’s health is a priority in the diaspora

We marked International Women’s Day (in the UK) this year under the theme ‘Give to Gain,’ and were reminded of a powerful truth: when women give to themselves-through rest, prevention, and proactive healthcare, entire families and communities’ gain.

For Jamaican women in the diaspora, this is not simply a lifestyle message. It is a public health imperative.

Across the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, black Caribbean women face measurable health inequalities. In the UK, black women are more than two times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than white women. Black women are also more likely to experience severe maternal complications, including pre-eclampsia and postpartum haemorrhage. These are not biological inevitabilities; they are indicators of structural inequities within healthcare systems.

Cardiovascular disease presents another stark example. Hypertension affects black Caribbean populations at significantly higher rates than the general population. In England, people of Caribbean heritage are more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure and to experience earlier onset of stroke. Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it can remain undetected for years, yet it is a leading risk factor for heart disease and kidney failure.

Similarly, type 2 diabetes is disproportionately prevalent among black communities in the diaspora. Earlier onset and higher complication rates – including kidney disease and limb amputation– highlight the cumulative impact of delayed diagnosis, limited access to culturally competent care, and socio-economic stressors.

These disparities are not isolated clinical statistics. They reflect broader social determinants of health: income inequality, occupational stress, housing instability, discrimination, and barriers to preventative services.

To ‘give to gain’ in this context means recognising that preventative health behaviours are also acts of empowerment.

THE WEIGHT OF MULTIPLE ROLES

Jamaican women in the diaspora frequently operate in high-responsibility roles. Many are frontline healthcare workers, educators, entrepreneurs, civil servants and faith leaders. Beyond paid employment, they often shoulder primary caregiving responsibilities for children, elderly relatives and extended family members locally and abroad.

Public health research shows that chronic stress is associated with increased risk of hypertension, obesity, depression and autoimmune conditions. The concept of ‘weathering’ – the cumulative physiological impact of repeated exposure to social and economic adversity — helps explain why some minority ethnic groups experience earlier biological ageing and higher chronic disease burden.

Workplace discrimination compounds this risk. Black women often report higher levels of performance pressure and lower levels of psychological safety at work. Sustained hyper-vigilance, emotional suppression and the need to constantly prove competence are not merely social experiences; they have biological consequences.

Against this backdrop, self-care is not indulgence. It is protective.

PREVENTION AS POWER

Preventative healthcare is one of the most effective tools available to reduce long-term health inequities.

Routine blood pressure monitoring can identify hypertension before it causes organ damage. Regular blood glucose testing can detect pre-diabetes early, allowing lifestyle interventions to prevent progression. Participation in cervical screening significantly reduces the risk of invasive cervical cancer, yet uptake remains lower in some minority communities due to mistrust, misinformation or competing life demands.

Breast cancer screening is equally critical. Early detection dramatically improves survival rates. Mental health support is another cornerstone. Studies consistently show that black women are less likely to access formal mental health services despite experiencing significant stressors. Stigma and cultural expectations of strength can delay help-seeking.

To give to gain means giving time to these preventative measures so that we gain longevity, vitality and presence.

COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL LEADERSHIP

Jamaican communities in the diaspora possess strong social and faith networks. Churches and community organisations can play a pivotal role in improving health literacy. Evidence shows that culturally tailored health education – delivered in trusted community spaces- increases screening uptake and engagement with services.

Health fairs, blood pressure clinics after services, menopause education sessions and mental health workshops are practical interventions that can shift outcomes. Community advocacy also matters. Holding healthcare systems accountable for equitable treatment and culturally competent practice is essential to reducing disparities.

INTERGENERATIONAL IMPACT

Public health is intergenerational. Children raised in environments where preventative care is normalised are more likely to adopt healthy behaviours. Conversely, untreated chronic illness in mothers increases the risk of poorer educational, emotional and economic outcomes for children.

When women prioritise their health, they stabilise families. When families are stable, communities are resilient.

A Call to Action

‘Give to Gain’ must move beyond slogan to strategy

• Give yourself the annual health check.

• Give yourself permission to attend screening appointments.

• Give yourself the courage to seek mental health support.

• Give yourself boundaries in environments that deplete you.

• And collectively, demand systems that treat black women’s health as urgent, not optional.

Jamaican women in the diaspora contribute profoundly to the economies and civic life of their adopted nations. Protecting our health is both a personal responsibility and a societal obligation.

When women are well, productivity increases; healthcare costs decrease; children thrive; communities flourish. To give to yourself is not to withdraw from service; it is to ensure that your service is sustainable. That is how we truly give-and gain.

Marsha Jones is a registered nurse and midwife who currently works as senior clinical leader in the National Health Service. She is CEO of LevelUp Leadership and Development Ltd and also co-founder of the Caribbean Nurses and Midwives Association UK.