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Maternal Health Disparities for Black Women
Sep 13, 2024
Disparities in Maternal Health for Black Women
Overview
Black women and their babies face significantly higher mortality rates during childbirth compared to their white counterparts, regardless of income.
Recent study highlights these disparities and suggests solutions to improve outcomes.
Personal Account
Kimberly Seals-Allers
: Experienced disrespect and lack of proper care while delivering her first child in a reputable hospital.
Felt unseen and traumatized.
Received a C-section without sufficient explanation.
Her baby was given formula against her wishes, impacting her early motherhood experience.
Study Findings
New York Times Study
: Highlights gross inequities in treatment during childbirth.
Black mothers are 8 times more likely to die than the wealthiest white mothers, and their babies are twice as likely to die.
Current NYC Health Department data supports these findings.
Solutions and Initiatives
EARTH App
: Created by Kimberly Seals-Allers to document and share Black mothers' experiences.
Aims to provide hospitals with data for improving equity.
Stresses the importance of transparency and accountability in achieving birth equity.
Expert Opinions
Dr. Diana Romero
: Head of the maternal health department at CUNY.
Emphasizes the need for cultural humility in healthcare.
Advocates for training healthcare providers to treat all patients equally, regardless of race.
Long-term policy changes are necessary to improve accessibility and affordability of healthcare.
Recommendations for Black Mothers
Establish a strong relationship with an OBGYN during pregnancy.
Make healthcare wishes known explicitly.
Consider hiring a doula or having a vocal family member or friend present during delivery for advocacy.
This summary is based on a CBS2 news report by Jessica Moore, exploring disparities in childbirth experiences for Black women and potential solutions.
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