American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)’s Post

If you were wondering what are some of the action steps, it’s more Black providers who feel safe in their working environments providing care to Black patients. Now let’s discuss how does academia recruit, retain, graduate and continue to mentor and advocate for Black students and graduates.

Advocacy Update: The state of Black Maternal Health Policies 📢 🔴Disparities Exist: Despite progress, Black maternal mortality rates remain disproportionately high due to systemic issues like racial bias and inadequate healthcare access. 🔴 Policy Push: Advocates are rallying for legislative changes to address root causes. Initiatives focus on funding community-based care, expanding Medicaid coverage, and implementing anti-racism training for healthcare providers. 🔴 Grassroots Impact: From local initiatives to national campaigns, grassroots movements amplify voices and push for meaningful reforms. These efforts center on dismantling barriers and promoting culturally competent care. 🔴 Accountability Matters: Advocates demand accountability from policymakers and healthcare systems to ensure equitable outcomes for Black mothers and babies. Join the conversation. Stand with us for policy changes that prioritize Black maternal health and wellness! 💪🏾

On International Day for Maternal Health and Rights, we stand in solidarity with mothers worldwide. Despite significant advancements in medicine, the disparity in maternal care is stark, with black and brown mothers facing significantly higher risks. In the United States, black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. These numbers aren't just statistics; they represent lives, families, and communities. To amplify the call for equitable care, we're spotlighting the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA) as they advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice. Learn more about BMMA's mission and how you can get involved at https://lnkd.in/gHgQcUZ.

Today is the first day of Black Maternal Health Week 2024, an initiative by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, and the theme is ‘Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!’ We would like to highlight an important paper by Rochelle Maurice, who reminisces how her family members advised Black women to bawl as loudly as possible during childbirth, in order to be heard and avoid being neglected at this crucial time. It explores how Black women have been historically subjected to racism, abuse, and violence, hence receiving less than ideal maternal care. Although efforts to tackle anti-Black racism in healthcare have increased over time through medical education and discussions on the challenges Black people face in healthcare, there are limited documented efforts and data to address these on a large scale. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dEkcJ7eP

Last night, the Alexandria Commission for Women hosted a panel discussion on Black maternal health with an impressive and inspiring group of experts and Black mothers with first hand experience of disparities in our healthcare systems. In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week, the Commission seeks to address the pressing disparities affecting Black mothers. This week, observed annually from April 11th to April 17th, serves as a pivotal moment to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and advocate for policies aimed at ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all expectant Black mothers. Despite advancements in medical technology and healthcare, Black women continue to face alarming disparities in maternal health outcomes. Black women in the U.S. are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. These disparities persist across socioeconomic backgrounds, highlighting systemic racism deeply ingrained within healthcare systems. To learn more, you can view the Commission's panel discussion here: https://lnkd.in/eG8J9rNY

Why Black Maternal Awareness Week Matters** 🌟 In the ongoing conversation about maternal health, a glaring concern is at forefront: the disproportionate challenges faced by Black mothers. In response, the UK embraces Black Maternal Awareness Week—an essential initiative dedicated to addressing systemic disparities in maternal healthcare. 💪 5 X More joins forces with Black-led organizations and healthcare professionals for a weeklong campaign, advocating for change through parliamentary lobbying and empowering Black mothers led by Atinuke Awe and Clotilde Rebecca Abe 🌱 The genesis of Five X More stems from personal experiences, aiming to address disparities rooted in systemic racism and inequality within healthcare systems. 📢 Black Maternal Awareness Week amplifies voices, sparks dialogue, and drives policy reforms, aiming for a future where every mother receives equitable care. 👩⚕️ Education on cultural competency and implicit bias empowers healthcare providers to mitigate disparities and foster equitable. This should be everyone's business. #BlackMaternalHealth #HealthEquity 🌍 Read more 👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/ehuYNC9p

We must confront and address the healthcare disparities faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) women. These disparities often stem from implicit biases within the healthcare system, resulting in unequal access to care, higher mortality rates, and increased complications. These unconscious attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes can manifest in various ways, from assumptions about pain levels to differences in the quality of medical care provided. It’s time to end these disparities and biases. Let’s make a difference in the lives of these women! By improving access to healthcare, enhancing the knowledge of healthcare professionals like physical therapists, and educating women about their health, we can help end these injustices. Join us in our mission to educate, engage, and empower women. Visit www.gwhi.org Have you encountered biases in the medical community? Share your story in the comments to help raise awareness!

Despite advancements in medicine and improved access to care, Black women continue to experience significantly higher rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. This is not a recent problem; systemic inequalities, historical injustices and persistent disparities in health care are major contributors to the issue. This Q&A with IFDHE's senior program manager, Crysta Meekins, MPH, and Lynn Todman, vice president of health equity and community partnerships at Corewell Health, explores how Corewell is using AHA's Health Equity Roadmap to advance Black maternal health to ensure equitable outcomes.  https://lnkd.in/dxxHK9uD #BMHW24 #NMHM2024

As a healthcare provider, you play a critical role in guiding patients through the kidney transplant process. The AST’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access to Life (IDEAL) Committee has created a toolkit designed to address the unique challenges faced by Black communities, who represent almost 30% of the kidney waiting list. This resource will help you support your patients through key steps, from understanding transplant evaluations to post-transplant care. Equip your patients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and advocate for themselves. myAST.org/FindYourVoice

Black American women are nearly 3x more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause, according to the CDC. This Black Maternal Health Week, we’re uplifting voices like Allyson Felix, the only woman to win six Olympic track and field gold medals, who are raising the alarm and demanding better.⁠ ⁠ A 2017 study found that Black patients consistently experienced poorer communication quality, information-giving, patient participation, and participatory decision-making. Parsley is working towrds reversing these trends by holding space for all of our patients. Click the link to bring Parsley to your organization: https://lnkd.in/eeHMKfiv #blackmaternalhealthweek #blackmaternalhealth ⁠