Two Black Women–Owned Startups Team Up On Free Telehealth Initiative To Improve Menopause Care
Two Black-owned health and wellness startups are teaming up to close the gap in menopause care for Black women.
Black Girl Vitamins, a Chicago-based wellness brand, and Jayla Health, a hormonal health telehealth startup, are collaborating to offer free virtual consultations for menopause and perimenopause to Black women in New York, California, and Florida.
The innovation will take place in October and November to honor Menopause Awareness Month by providing Black women with the necessary support tailored to their unique health needs.
Black women and menopause
Twenty-five years of research from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) found Black women are more likely to have worse menopause symptoms — including hot flashes (46% vs. 37% among white women) and clinically significant depressive symptoms (27% vs. 22%).
Black women were more likely to report numerous recurrent episodes of depression over time. Although they were less likely to be treated for depression compared to white women.
This new initiative will allow Black women to receive advice that is often not tailored to their needs.
Telehealth tailored to Black women’s needs
“Black Girl Vitamins’ mission is to improve health outcomes for Black women, and far too often, Black women are navigating menopause earlier, more intensely, and longer with fewer resources,” Jennifer Juma, Chief Strategy Officer of Black Girl Vitamins, said in a press release.
Black Girl Vitamins is committed to health equity, providing science-backed supplements tailored for Black and minority communities. Similarly, Jayla Health empowers women with reliable menopause information and access to both hormonal and nonhormonal treatments. The collaboration builds on both missions by offering free, evidence-based menopause education designed specifically for Black women.
“At Jayla, we understand that Black women’s symptoms are commonly dismissed as stress or aging,” said Antonia Walters, Co-Founder of Jayla Health. “This is due to an inequitable system that delays care and raises health risks. By calling this out and creating solutions that center Black women, we can deliver the highest standard of care.”
Image: Stephen Okonkwo
