Planned Parenthood Great Rivers’ Post

It's still Black Maternal Health Week 💙 This is a great list of education, policy and advocacy resources. Take a look and learn more about why this is a crisis (hint: it's racism. it's always racism. with some misogyny mixed in = misogynoir) 👀 #BlackMaternalHealthWeek

I recently came across the news that the Indiana Attorney General dismissed a lawsuit against a hospital involved in the tragic case of a 10-year-old rape victim. This case has brought to light the disturbing reality that a medical professional, Dr. Caitlin Bernard, became the target of hate, intimidation, and professional harassment for simply doing her job—providing compassionate care to a child in an unimaginable situation. This raises an important question: Is it more compassionate to force a 10-year-old child to carry a pregnancy to term, subjecting her to further psychological trauma and potential physical harm? Or is it more compassionate to provide the medical care, support, and love that she desperately needs? To me, the answer is clear. We must allow families and medical professionals to make these deeply personal healthcare decisions without government interference. The role of government should not be to impose additional suffering on those who are already vulnerable. It should be to protect their rights and well-being. This case is a stark reminder of the importance of compassion and the need to ensure that healthcare decisions remain between patients, their families, and their doctors. Let’s focus on providing support and care, not adding to the trauma. #Healthcare #Compassion #PatientRights #MedicalEthics https://lnkd.in/gHy6kByK

Become a champion for our Black Babies and Black Mamas by supporting policies that support Healthy Beginnings, Strong Families, Quality Care, and Learning. Healthcare systems in the U.S. are failing birthing people and postpartum parents, often due to systematic racial inequities that begin long before a person becomes pregnant. Moreover, the well-being of birthing people and babies is often considered separately, but they are intrinsically interdependent. Poor outcomes for the birthing person result in poor outcomes in the short and long term for their baby. Are you ready to become a #blackmaternalhealth advocate? Sign up at ncit.org where you’ll receive the tools you need to play a crucial role in the movement. https://lnkd.in/eU6yknSR

We will know we are making progress on health equity when Black people who give birth no longer fear they will not survive childbirth. Supporting organizations led by women of color is one way we can pave the way, together, toward solutions to the Black maternal health crisis. As you’ll see in the great videos linked below, doulas and midwives are important catalysts for advancing birth justice through compassionate, quality care for people who give birth. I continue to be inspired by our grantees who demonstrate that communities closest to the problems are also closest to the solutions. https://lnkd.in/ebwTBFct

Imagine the joy of welcoming a new life and the fear and uncertainty faced by many mothers due to systemic gaps and inequalities. When mothers are overlooked in policymaking, their children are also disregarded, failing to align with the biblical vision for family and community flourishing. Scripture calls for the care of the vulnerable, including widows and orphans (Exodus 22:22, Isaiah 1:17, James 1:27). God’s concern for marginalized women and children compels us to take action. Who is excluded from our care systems, and how can we include them? Fortunately, there have been improvements in the U.S. Thirty-five states have expanded Medicaid to cover 12 months postpartum, providing crucial support during a family’s most vulnerable days. However, more efforts are needed. We must advocate for policies that encompass paid leave, workplace flexibility, and comprehensive care. Giving birth should not result in a death sentence or financial burden. We invite you to join us in honoring the dignity of pregnant women and their children. This is a matter of justice, family, and faith. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on Family Valued news and learn how you can make a difference in maternal health. Your voice matters!" 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKEvxSkm #MaternalHealth #PublicJustice

The latest NY Times article by Roni Caryn Rabin uncovers a stark reality: Black women's mortality rates during childbirth are two to three times higher than those of white women. This points to systemic biases influencing medical care. Let's come together to raise awareness and champion equitable, compassionate care for all mothers during childbirth. Read and share the full article #MaternalHealth #EquityInHealthcare #Advocacy #LinkedInPost

🌟 As we embark on #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, it's imperative to shine a brighter spotlight on the critical issues surrounding maternal healthcare for black mothers. While progress has been made, sobering statistics persist, revealing stark disparities that demand urgent attention and action. Black mothers continue to face alarmingly higher rates of maternal mortality compared to their white counterparts, despite advancements in medical technology and healthcare practices. This unsettling reality underscores systemic inequalities deeply ingrained within the healthcare system, ranging from racial bias to inadequate access to quality prenatal and postnatal care. This week, let's amplify the voices of black mothers, uplift their stories, and work collaboratively to dismantle systemic barriers to maternal healthcare access. Together, we can create a future where every black mother has the opportunity to navigate pregnancy and childbirth with dignity, safety, and optimal health outcomes. #BMHW24 #MaternalHealthEquity 🤰🏿👶🏿💖

We invite you to join us for a vital discussion on Birthing Justice on May 24 at Hatch 41, hosted by NCBW Chicago Metropolitan (National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Chicago Metropolitan Chapter). As someone who has personally experienced the loss of twins and the challenges of navigating pregnancy during the pandemic, I understand how critical this conversation is for Black maternal health. History has shown that regardless of education, income, or celebrity status, Black women face significant disparities in maternal healthcare. Our voices are often unheard, and our concerns ignored. It’s time to change that. This event is for everyone, not just women. Men—whether you are a father, husband, or caretaker—you play a vital role in this journey. Your presence and perspective are crucial in advancing the conversation. While my own motherhood journey ended in triumph, many others face much harder realities. Let’s come together to raise awareness and advocate for change. https://lnkd.in/gjiZAV5f #healthcare #healthequity #blackmaternalhealth

Update- We now have some much needed time to give feedback on a woefully inadequate draft aged care act that allows the abuse of our mums, dads and loved ones in aged care. This draft exposure act is NOWHERE near good enough. We may as well have not had a royal commission! In many ways this act is worse than the last one 27 years ago. If left as is, it literally allows for the continued physical, emotional, clinical and financial abuse of older people. We need EVERYONE who cares about older people to say clearly to Anika Wells her department and government. DO BETTER. If you don’t, there is no way we will even LOOK at supporting your taskforce’s report that you will try to get us all to have #userpay #inheritance tax or other #agedcaretaxes . The final public consultation on a new aged care act survey was originally going to be last Friday, but thanks to the concerns of older people and advocates, the final date to give your thoughts in surveys and submissions is march 8th at 7pm. This alone is proof advocacy DOES work. We were told no way would public consultation be pushed back. But doh and minister bowed to public pressure once it was exposed that they were trying to sneak in over the break . You make more of a difference than you know speaking out. We need you to speak out on this too. This act benefits providers but would be a tragedy for older people. It tramples all over older people’s legal and human rights, and has far too little accountability for finances, clinical care and provider responsibilities. It also continues to allow rampant conflicts of interests for consultants working with providers as well as Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. It allows for no transparency for the public on quality of care . It lets continue what we have seen and coveted by Dr Rodney Jilek MAICD and others that there is no correlation between serious incidents and star ratings. There is no independent complaints mechanism and no independent regulation of clinical care quality and quantity. There continues to be next to NOTHING to ensure older people have adequate clinical care including nursing, medical, dental , physiotherapy and allied health. This draft aged care act allows for provider self reporting with inadequate checks and balances on falls pressure injury, polypharmacy and restraints that harm and kill older people. I support the calls for changes in the position statement from CARA (coalition aged rights advocates including Older Persons Advocacy Network , Aged Care Reform Now , aged care crisis, qacag, AAC Health Group Australia ) and also COTA Australia and opan aged care round table. There is nowhere near enough care in this aged care act. Do better. Or put in a #newagedcareminister who can. #agedcare #agedcaretax #agedcareact #olderpeoplematter #bringbacknursesphysios #nursinghomes Have your say - Final aged care act draft exposure survey 7pm 8th march department link below https://lnkd.in/gp6bVQCF

As a maternal health advocate, I stand in solidarity with Black mothers facing disproportionate challenges in their journey to motherhood. The data remains stark: Black mothers continue to experience significantly higher rates of maternal mortality and complications compared to other racial groups. We must acknowledge the systemic issues embedded within healthcare systems, perpetuating these disparities. Factors like implicit biases, limited access to quality care, and socioeconomic barriers persistently impact the health outcomes of Black mothers. Yet, in the face of adversity, there's resilience and strength within communities. Empowerment begins with education and awareness. It’s about equipping Black mothers with the knowledge to navigate healthcare systems effectively, ensuring they receive the care they deserve. Join us for a transformative conversation at our free webinar, 'A Black Mother's Story,' where experts and fellow Black moms unite to tackle maternal disparities, fostering empowerment and advocating for change together. Today, let's commit to amplifying the voices of Black mothers, uplifting their stories, and joining hands in the pursuit of health equity. Every step towards change matters. Let's stand united to ensure that every mother, regardless of race, receives the quality care and support they deserve. #BlackMaternalHealth #HealthEquity #Empowerment #StandTogetherForChange 🌺✊🏿 #HealthyPregnancyJourney #NewMomLife #PregnancyWellness #EmpoweredBirth #MaternalHealthAwareness #PostpartumRecovery #MomAndBabyCare #BirthWithoutFear #MaternalHealthAdvocacy #MaternalMentalHealth #BreastfeedingSupport #HealthyBabyHappyMom #MaternalHealthMatters #SafeMotherhood #HealthyPregnancy #MomAndBabyHealth #MaternalCare #PrenatalHealth #MaternalWellness #NewMomHealth #MaternityCare #PostpartumSupport #MaternalMortality #MaternalRights #HealthyMomStrongBaby