Black American women travel to South Korea for healthcare

Many people from the US travel to other countries for cheaper medical treatments. For example, they go to Mexico for dental work or Canada for medicines. Now, more Black American women are choosing to travel to Seoul, South Korea, for a different reason: healthcare that makes them feel included.

South Korea is famous for cosmetic surgery and skin treatments. However, many visitors also find excellent general medical check-ups and tests there. These services can be more affordable and easier to get than in the US. A company called Himedi helps Americans find these health check-ups in South Korea. Their boss, William Ban, said that US clients want to understand their health better. He explained that in Korea, they can get many detailed tests and see results on the same day, which might take months and cost a lot in the US.

Ban also noted that requests from Black American women have increased. He said that most of these requests are not for cosmetic reasons but for detailed health screenings. These often include checks for gynaecological issues, thyroid problems, and heart conditions. These are areas where Black women in the US often face serious health differences and less medical attention.

This makes sense because Black American women have high rates of heart disease, which is a major cause of death for them. They also have the highest rates of high blood pressure globally. Studies show they often experience delays in getting diagnosed and treated for these conditions. Similar delays happen with gynaecological problems like endometriosis and fibroids, and breast cancer. These issues are due to unfair systems, hidden biases, and not having easy access to timely tests. South Korea's preventive care, offering many tests and doctor visits in one day, provides convenience and thoroughness.

Adzua Agyapon, a 36-year-old woman from Washington DC, shared her positive experience. She visited a medical center in Seoul and felt very comfortable. During a health exam, she found out she had a large fibroid, something her annual checkups in the US had missed. She mentioned that the medical staff were kind and patient, offering a level of care she hadn't experienced in America. Her full health check-up cost less than $600.

Many Black American women feel their health concerns are ignored or not taken seriously in the US. They often have to push for more tests or seek second opinions. Elizabeth Oputa, 42, from New Jersey, said she often feels rushed and unheard during doctor's appointments in the US. She has traveled to South Korea twice for health check-ups and skin treatments.

Oputa feels free from prejudice in Korea. She feels heard and believes the doctors take their time to understand her. She contrasted this with the US, where she has sometimes noticed surprised reactions or comments about her hair loss from alopecia when she removes her wig. In Seoul, she felt at ease and treated equally. This inclusive feeling, she said, felt unique.

The positive experience extends beyond medical care to skincare. For Fumi Ekhator, 35, from Philadelphia, the quality and approach of Korean skincare were appealing. Korean skincare often focuses on gentle, natural ingredients to prevent problems, unlike Western products that may use stronger chemicals. Ekhator, who has dark skin, was initially worried about treatments in a country with a very similar population. However, the clinic discussed precautions for her skin tone, which made her feel more comfortable and understood.

A pharmacist also advised her on the proper use of a skin product, warning about its potential irritation on darker skin. This awareness and caution felt very inclusive to Ekhator.

William Ban explained that South Korea’s healthcare system is built around preventive check-ups, with employers and the government supporting them. Unlike the US system, which focuses more on treating sickness, the Korean system aims to find health issues early. Dr Terika Haynes, 44, from Florida, found South Korea a good option for continuing her care after becoming self-employed and losing her insurance. She had a comprehensive medical exam and dermatology appointment, which were efficient and included many more tests than a typical US check-up.

While traveling for healthcare isn't a solution for everyone and doesn't fix the deep issues in US healthcare, the women interviewed value the positive experience. They plan to return to South Korea for routine check-ups, seeing it as an important investment in their well-being. The warmth and acceptance they felt were significant, offering a contrast to their experiences in the US.