Eleanor Fleming, PhD, DDS, MPH’s Post

Disheartened by the lack of commitment by our healthcare system to impact maternal mortality and access to care for pregnant and post-pregnant people. Despite advances and attention in recent years, maternal care in the US is still abysmal compared to the rest of the world. How is it possible that in 2024, "almost 7 million women in the United States live in counties without hospitals or birth centers providing obstetric care and no obstetric providers"? How can we accept that Black women in the US are twice as likely to die as white women? That they are more than 10 times as likely to die as women in the UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Sweden? How do we justify being the country that spends BY FAR the most per capita on healthcare, yet we can't provide access to care, and where we can, the outcomes are so much worse? Worst of all, the US is the only country that doesn't have federally-mandated paid maternity leave. Only 25% of American workers have access to paid parental leave either through their employer or the state where they live. In Maine, where I live, the average new mother takes just eleven days of leave before returning to work after birth. "We can't just think of reproductive health at the time of pregnancy because a lot happens after the baby is born," Munira Gunja, a senior researcher at the Commonwealth Fund said; "If we're not supporting women during this crucial time period, we're never going to solve this problem." https://lnkd.in/eqKmPhRT

How Does Ethnicity Affect Maternal Health? ⚕️ Maternal health is a critical issue that affects women and families worldwide. However, disparities exist, and ethnicity plays a significant role. Here are some key points to consider: 🩺 Disparities in Access: Women from certain ethnic backgrounds often face barriers in accessing quality prenatal and maternal care, leading to higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth. 📊 Higher Rates of Complications: Studies show that Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic women are more likely to experience complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and postpartum hemorrhage. 🤰 Cultural Sensitivity: Culturally tailored healthcare practices can significantly improve maternal outcomes. Understanding and respecting cultural differences in healthcare preferences and practices is crucial. 🗣️ Community Support: Strengthening community support networks and providing culturally competent education can empower women from diverse backgrounds, leading to better health outcomes. 🤝 Advocacy and Policy Change: Advocating for policies that address systemic inequities and promote equitable healthcare access is essential for improving maternal health across all ethnicities. 🔁 f you found this information helpful, please share it with your network! Repost to spread awareness and help others learn more about maternal health. Your support makes a difference! #MaternalHealth #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #DiversityInHealthcare #EthnicityAndHealth

I am exicited to share my recent opinion on International Women's Day, where the imperative question on maternal and neontal health: "How can Nepal expidate the progress in enhancing maternal and child health?" In this piece, I delve into the complexities, challenges, and crucial initiatives addressing maternal and neonatal health in Nepal.

🗝Access in Crisis! DYK? Access to maternal health care is becoming more challenging for many people in the U.S. Pregnancy-related complications can be fatal in the first year postpartum, yet many women have a difficult time getting the necessary care they need. This crisis is more common in Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women who have a mortality rate more than twice as high than white women. Join us in helping #ACOG raise awareness on this Maternal Health Awareness Day to improve access to care. #maternalhealthawarenessday

Black women are up to six times more likely to experience some of the most serious birth complications during hospital delivery across England than their white counterparts, with the figures being described as "stark" and "disheartening", according to analysis. Black women made up 26% of women who experienced the birth complication pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension during delivery, despite making up just 5% of all deliveries across England, according to a Guardian analysis of NHS figures for 2022-23. Black women were 1.5 times more likely to develop preeclampsia more generally than their white counterparts, and were also overrepresented in birth complications regarding high blood pressure, making up 16% of these cases. Experts said that in order to address the disparities in birth complications, the existing health inequalities such as why some ethnicities have higher rates of pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure would need to be addressed. https://lnkd.in/ehGU7C3c

The Black Maternal Mortality Crisis 🚨did not appear overnight. This crisis in the U.S. 🇺🇸 traces back to 1619, revealing centuries-long disparities and systemic challenges that continue to impact Black mothers  and our babies today.    Despite transdisciplinary advances 📚 in healthcare, policy, research etc., Black mothers and babies  still face disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, a crisis highlighted by Black Girls Nutrition's  Historical Timeline- titled "NO, Racism is the Issue! 400 Years Later and Racism  is Still Killing our Black Mothers and Babies".     Our timeline traces the deep-seated racial disparities in maternal health 🤰🏾 back to 1619, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions against the systemic racism within our healthcare system. 🏥    Understanding this history  is crucial for effective change. We invite you to support or partner 🤝🏾 —by staying informed , challenging the status quo , sharing knowledge 🗣️, and supporting interventions. As a united front we can create a sustainable positive transformation in maternal health. 💪🏾    Visit https://lnkd.in/ekzGiZ94    .    .    .  .    #BlackGirlsNutrition #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #BMHW2024 #JusticeInBirth #HonorBlackMothers #EquityInMaternity #ProtectBlackMoms #MaternalHealthMatters #VoiceForMothers #ActForMaternalJustice #blackbreastfeeding #blackmamas #maternalmortality #laborsupport #maternalhealth #implicitbias #blackbirth #blackdoula #maternalmentalhealth #blackmidwife #birthjustice #birthrights #postpartumdoula #naturalchildbirth #postpartumsupport #birthmatters #blackbirthworker

END HEALTH INEQUITIES! END FISTULA NOW! Last week the 23rd of May was the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. There’s a lot of uncertainty and increasing demand on our healthcare systems at this time. But we must remember that women and girls have to be protected from Obstetric Fistula, a vivid sign of gender and health inequality. This year’s theme have a clear message “Breaking the Cycle: Preventing Fistula Worldwide” It is grave injustice that our most vulnerable women and girls suffer from this tragic childbirth injury. My message to all today is this: obstetric fistula is preventable and it must end! All mothers, regardless of social background, should have timely access to quality maternal health care services. Obstetric fistula is preventable, and it can largely be avoided by delaying the age of first pregnancy, the cessation of harmful traditional practices, and timely access to obstetric care. It is our collective responsibility to protect the vulnerable amongst us. Let’s work together to End Fistula, now more than ever!

According to the CDC, Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women, with most of the maternal deaths being preventable. "From Statistics to Solutions: Improving Black Maternal Health" is a free virtual 'lunch and learn' on Wednesday, February 21 at 12:30pm with experts from Garnet Health and Sun River Health. To register, please visit: https://bit.ly/49hbVRq Discussion topics include: prenatal care, the importance of postpartum follow-up care and access to contraception. There will be opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

The stark disparities in Black maternal health outcomes in the U.S. have worsened in recent years, with Black women three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. Read NASHP | National Academy for State Health Policy’s latest blog to learn more about state priorities to improve health outcomes: https://lnkd.in/greybU2X

Addressing the urgent crisis: Exploring the disparities in Black maternal health. This insightful article delves into the structural and social determinants impacting black morbidity and mortality in the U.S. A must-read to understand the challenges and advocates for change. #maternalhealth #healthequity #wolomi #RacialDisparities #mothers #mentalhealth #healthinnovation https://lnkd.in/d6cgeMR8