About

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has a prevalence of approximately 10-12% in women, with approximately 1/3 of those affected experiencing symptoms over the entire life course. PTSD is also associated with other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety and may be concurrent with health complications, shortened lifespan, increased use of healthcare services, and reduced quality of life. Rates of PTSD and related health complications are substantially higher in urban settings, with a lifetime prevalence estimated at 60% among African American/Black women. African American/Black women with PTSD have been under-studied, do not receive equitable treatment, and are more likely to drop out of treatment when compared with other populations. This means that women of the African diaspora have high risks that we must try to address.