THE PAIN GAP
How Sexism and Racism
in Healthcare Kill Women

Explore real women’s tales of healthcare trauma and medical misogyny with this meticulously researched, in-depth examination of the women’s health crisis in America—and what we can do about it.

ORDER HERE

Anushay Hossain is a writer, analyst, podcast host, and author. Her first book, THE PAIN GAP: HOW SEXISM AND RACISM IN HEALTHCARE KILL WOMEN is available everywhere now. Grab a copy from your favorite bookstore.

Anushay Hossain frequently travels to top universities and institutions giving talks and speaking on panels about gender, politics, media, women’s health, and more.

She has spoken at Washington’s National Press Club, Yale Law School, University of Michigan, Duke, University of Chicago, University of Virginia (UVA), Georgetown University, New York University (NYU), and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, amongst many other renowned institutions.

 

Book Anushay

THE PAIN GAP

how Sexism and Racism in Healthcare Kill Women

Following in the footsteps of feminist manifestos such as The Feminine Mystique and Rage Becomes Her, The Pain Gap is an eye-opening and stirring call to arms that encourages women to flip their “hysteria complex” on its head and use it to revolutionize women’s healthcare. This book tells the story of Hossain’s experiences—from growing up in South Asia surrounded by staggering maternal mortality rates to lobbying for global health legislation on Capitol Hill to nearly becoming a statistic herself. Along the way, she realized that a little fury might be just what the doctor ordered.

ORDER HERE

THE PAIN GAP: How Sexism and Racism in Healthcare Kill Women​

Following in the footsteps of feminist manifestos such as The Feminine Mystique and Rage Becomes Her, The Pain Gap is an eye-opening and stirring call to arms that encourages women to flip their “hysteria complex” on its head and use it to revolutionize women’s healthcare. This book tells the story of Hossain’s experiences—from growing up in South Asia surrounded by staggering maternal mortality rates to lobbying for global health legislation on Capitol Hill to nearly becoming a statistic herself. Along the way, she realized that a little fury might be just what the doctor ordered.

About the book

When Anushay Hossain became pregnant in the US, she was so relieved. Growing up in Bangladesh in the 1980s, where the concept of women’s healthcare hardly existed, she understood how lucky she was to access the best in the world. But she couldn’t have been more wrong. Things started to go awry from the minute she stepped in the hospital, and after thirty hours of labor (two of which she spent pushing), Hossain’s epidural slipped. Her pain was so severe that she ran a fever of 104 degrees, and as she shook and trembled uncontrollably, the doctors finally performed an emergency C-section.

Giving birth in the richest country on earth, Hossain never imagined she could die in labor. But she almost did. The experience put her on a journey to explore, understand, and share how women—especially women of color—are dismissed to death by systemic sexism in American healthcare.

Following in the footsteps of feminist manifestos such as The Feminine Mystique and Rage Becomes Her, The Pain Gap is an eye-opening and stirring call to arms that encourages women to flip their “hysteria complex” on its head and use it to revolutionize women’s healthcare. This book tells the story of Hossain’s experiences—from growing up in South Asia surrounded by staggering maternal mortality rates to lobbying for global health legislation on Capitol Hill to nearly becoming a statistic herself. Along the way, she realized that a little fury might be just what the doctor ordered.

Meticulously researched and deeply reported, this book explores real women’s traumatic experiences with America’s healthcare system—and empowers everyone to use their experiences to bring about the healthcare revolution women need.

ORDER HERE

Media appearances

Anushay Hossain is a strong, feminist voice on behalf of women around the world who are fighting for their rights and their lives. She is a candid, articulate advocate and an engaging speaker.

Kim Gandy

Fmr. President of the National Organization of Women (NOW)

As a Muslim woman of color from Bangladesh, Anushay Hossain brings a fresh and much-needed perspective to the discussion of women’s rights in the West and Global South. Anushay is eloquent, thought-provoking and combines an unequivocal passion for justice with a sobering understanding of issues on the ground. She is a voice that all feminists need to hear.

Ratna Noteman Black

NYU Wagner School of Public Service Women’s Caucus

Anushay Hossain was a dynamic and inspirational speaker, who gave a riveting talk exploring the interaction of women’s rights with international political conflict. Anushay’s ability to interact with and command an audience makes her an exceptional speaker.

Pouneh Aravand

Yale Law School, Class of 2012

Anushay Hossain spoke at a workshop at the South Asian Awareness Network’s 2013 Conference, Ethos. She was incredible. The workshop was perfectly crafted; it was unique, current, and resonated strongly with the students. Hossain went beyond expectations and engaged students on a more personal level, a difficult art when conducting a workshop with 100-125 people in the room.

ash Bhutada

University of Michigan, Chair, South Asian Awareness Network

I found that when it comes to women’s rights issues, the speaker delivering the message is often as important as the issue itself. As a public speaker, Anushay is as knowledgeable as she is engaging…She emulates both warmth and strength in her delivery, leaving her audience feeling informed as well as inspired to take action.

Bianca J. Ursillo

Quinnipiac University, Class of 2010

Articles

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