Alliance for Healthier Communities’ Post

Next week we'll be attending the Connecticut Health Foundation's 25th Anniversary Celebration and excited to hear Linda Villarosa speak. Her book, "Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on Health in America" provides a clear explanation why Black mothers and babies are dying at such an alarming rate.   "Income, education, determination, and self-empowerment can help individual Black Americans but cannot entirely erase the negative effects of centuries of discrimination, and ongoing bias, on the health of African Americans. To put it in the plainest terms, from birth to death the impact on the bodies of Black Americans of living in communities that have been harmed by long-standing racial discrimination, of a deeply rooted and dangerous racial bias in our health-care system, and of the insidious consequences of present-day racism affects who lives and who dies. These factors create physical vulnerability and systemic disadvantages that education, income, and access to health care cannot erase. This inequality, born more than four hundred years ago and embedded in every structure and institution of American society, including the health-care system, is driving our country’s poor national health outcomes relative to the rest of the developed world." - Linda Villarosa #healthequity #birthjustice #infantmortality #racism #safesleep #suddenunexpectedinfantdeath

During Black Maternal Health Week, we celebrate the strength and resilience of Black birthing people. We acknowledge the joy they bring to the world, the challenges they face, and the systemic racism that disproportionately impacts their health outcomes. Our commitment is not only to raise awareness, but also to advocate for an intersectional approach, acknowledging that the solutions must address the full range of social, political, economic, and environmental factors that affect Black mother's health outcomes. When we support Black birthing people, we uplift entire communities. #BlackMaternalHeathWeek #BMHW2024 #HealthEquity #SupportBlackMothers #IntersectionalApproach #WholesomeManagement

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! 💪🏾

#BlackHistoryMonth Post #3 How do we create new norms in how we teach and address poor health in historically underserved Black communities? We start with a history lesson. Published in 2018, we share a case of how we are doing this in the nation's capital - empowering healthcare leaders with tools to better connect with Black communities to improve health outcomes. https://lnkd.in/g6N7ue6f

Does your organization or community recognize a Black Health Week? As part of Black History Month, plenty of organizations look at disparities in heart health, diabetes, maternal health, and other areas. But when it comes to a standardized, national recognition of Black wellbeing and health, those designations tend to fall across the calendar year. Booker T. Washington founded National Negro Health Week in 1915, which eventually turned into National Minority Health Month in April. Washington state just formally recognized Black Wellness Week, which will also be held in April. However, Connecticut celebrates Black Wellness Week in September. Other areas have carved out a piece of February as African American Health Week, and still others have theirs in May. Florida typically holds Black Wellness events in October. Every opportunity to talk about health and wellness and solving inequities is great, of course. But a nationally standardized recognition of Black health could: ~ shine a bigger and more focused spotlight on health disparities in Black communities ~ foster collaboration between organizations on sustainable health equity projects ~ blend grassroots advocacy with federal policy How did your healthcare organization celebrate Black History Month? Do you have a designated week focusing on Black health and wellness? https://lnkd.in/gYHgVu5G #blackhistorymonth #blackhealthmatters #healthinequalities #healthjustice

The journey to healthy living starts with understanding the unique health challenges faced by the black community. Today, we dive into the importance of regular health screenings and preventive care. Let's prioritize our health together, making informed choices for a brighter, healthier future.

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

Building Bridges: Black History and Equity in Community Healthcare Community health centers (#CHCs) are essential in providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to underserved populations. In Massachusetts, CHCs proactively promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within their organizations with creative initiatives that support inclusion. The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (MLCHC) is a valuable resource, offering guidance and support to community health centers in their #DEIB efforts. We understand the historical and present-day challenges associated with equity as it relates to institutional racism, and with respect to Black History Month, we encourage all healthcare leaders to ensure that black voices and perspectives are represented and included beyond the acknowledgment of this month, minimizing barriers that will hinder inequitable practices and a healthy workplace. As an organization, we honor Black individuals' accomplishments and resilience as we recognize their impact on society. If your organization is a Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers member, you can learn more about DEIB support by contacting Kirby Valentin, MPH, Grants & Contracts Manager/DEIB Lead, at kvalentin@massleague.org. #blackhistorymonth #blackhealthmatters #healthequity #healthjustice #inclusionmatters #culturalcompetence #diversityinhealthcare #healthequitynow #blackwellness #healthforall #blackexcellence #blackhealth #equitablehealthcare The Castle Group Health Equity Compact

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

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