From wellness products, to fragrances, to the haircare many of us grew up using, Black women are routinely exposed to harmful chemicals in products marketed directly to us. So what do we do when our everyday routines are shaped by systems that often put our health at risk? These exposures don’t happen in isolation; they build over time, contributing to serious and sometimes chronic health conditions that are deeply tied to environmental racism at a systemic level. But there are changes and solutions we can implement to curb these risks that contribute to a healthier, longer life. 

Here to break all of this down is Dr. Tamarra James-Todd, Epidemiologist and Professor of Environmental Reproductive Epidemiology at Harvard University. Dr. James-Todd directs the Environmental Reproductive Justice Lab, where she studies how chemicals in consumer products and our broader environment impact Black women’s health across the lifespan. Her work not only exposes the inequities in these systems, but puts a focus on empowering communities with the knowledge and tools to reduce risks of harm. Today, we’re unpacking what environmental racism really looks like, how it shows up in the products we use every day, and what it will take to protect Black women’s health.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

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Want to reflect on this conversation in community? Join us inside our Patreon community where we’re unpacking this episode together and sharing practical ways to reduce exposure—without overwhelm.

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