Social minorities face higher prevalence of chronic pain

Social minorities, including Black women and the LGBTQIAPN+ community, experience a higher prevalence of chronic pain and a greater burden of suffering compared to the general population. Research indicates that structural racism, sexism, and social exclusion influence how pain is perceived, reported, and treated.

A Brazilian systematic review published in the Brazilian Journal of Pain found that chronic pain prevalence in Brazil ranges from 23% to 76%, with an average of 45.6%. The condition is more frequent among women, a trend attributed to factors such as work overload, violence, and the tendency for medical complaints to be minimized, rather than biological differences alone.

Studies also highlight disparities for Black individuals, who often receive less analgesia, face longer wait times for medical care, and have their pain reports underestimated compared to white patients. Furthermore, research in the journal PAIN shows higher chronic pain prevalence among LGBTQIAPN+ individuals, with rates increasing alongside diverse sexual identities. Persistent psychological stress from discrimination and insecurity can lead to neurobiological changes that increase pain sensitivity, regardless of physical injury.