The Afiya Center’s Post

In the U.S., Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. The CDC notes that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Founded by BMMA, Black Maternal Health Week is a week of awareness, activism, and community-building aimed at amplifying the voices of Black Mamas and centering the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements. This year marks the 7th Annual Black Maternal Health Week, which will be held from April 11-17, 2024! Powered To Rise is joining forces with @BlackMamasMatter (BMMA) to center Black women’s scholarship, maternity care work, and advocacy across the full spectrum of sexual, maternal, and reproductive health care, services, programs, and initiatives. Join us in uplifting Black women and our families! Learn more on the Black Mammas Matter website. #BMHW24 #BlackMamasMatter #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #ReproJustice

Black women in the US are around three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women. This isn't bad luck, it's obstetric racism. Racial bias impacts the quality of care Black mothers receive, leading to devastating consequences. We need a healthcare system that respects ALL mothers. This means educating providers and the community about implicit bias, but it's not enough.  Listening to Black women's concerns and building trust between patients and providers is vital. Black mothers deserve to be heard and believed. Let's work together for change: Advocate for trainings to dismantle bias in healthcare. Spread awareness about obstetric racism and its effects. Encourage providers to actively listen to Black mothers' experiences. Discover how we at First Steps & Beyond are creating a more equitable healthcare system. Visit their website to learn more and find ways to support! https://lnkd.in/eedU7Dg9 #BlackMamasMatter #EndObstetricRacism #HealthcareEquality

Today is the first day of Black Maternal Health Week! Founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, this initiative is a call to action to recognize and address the significant health disparities affecting Black mothers in the US. The goals are clear: - To deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health. - To amplify community-driven solutions and research. - To center the voices of Black mothers, women, families, and stakeholders. - To provide a national platform for Black-led efforts on maternal health and reproductive justice. - To enhance community organizing around these critical issues. By focusing on these objectives, Black Maternal Health Week aims to foster a healthcare environment that ensures equitable access and treatment for all mothers. It's a time to reaffirm our commitment to understanding and advocating for policies and practices that can make a difference in the lives of Black mothers and their families. Let's amplify this week to listen, learn, and act for positive change for black maternal health. #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #BMHW #HealthEquity

Today marks the start of Black Maternal Health Week, founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA). It's a week of advocacy, awareness, and community-building to uplift Black maternal voices, spotlight Black-led initiatives, and uphold reproductive justice values. In 2024, widespread restrictions on abortion care access coupled with rising cases of criminalization due to pregnancy loss continue to widen the gaps of adverse maternal and birth outcomes among states in the U.S. Many of these states have the worst maternal and child health outcomes with the least supportive social welfare and family support programs, particularly for Black women and birthing people. Now is the time to demand comprehensive insurance coverage for maternal, sexual, and reproductive health, enhance healthcare access, diversity the perinatal care workforce, promote equitable care standards, and prioritize research on Black maternal health. Learn more about how we can make maternal health equity a reality: • https://lnkd.in/ehYr8bpt • https://lnkd.in/eMPCp-TF

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

2024 marks the 7th Annual Black Maternal Health Week. ❌ Research indicates that 22% of Black women receive lower quality of care than white women and are subject to discrimination in the #healthcare field. ❌ Black women are 3x times as likely to die because of #pregnancy-related complications than their white counterparts. We must invest in racial and birth justice for Black women and their children. What these #Black birthing parents have experienced is #racism, plain and simple. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gzAzffaR #BMHW24 #communityhealth #blackmaternalhealth #SHRH #reproductiverights

Maternal mortality is ON THE RISE and it disproportionately affects Black mothers. In fact, the likelihood that a Black mother dies in pregnancy, during childbirth, or in the post partum period is more than twice that of a non-Black mother in the United States. I’ll be honest. 😔 As a Black woman desiring children one day, the thought of losing my life while bringing another life into this world, is a thought that has gripped my mind with fear on multiple occasions. That shouldn’t be the case. As I am planning parenthood, I shouldn’t have to wrestle with thoughts of the possibilities of my own mortality. Especially since I live in a high-income country. Unfortunately, an untimely death has been the sad reality of too many Black mothers. I encourage you to intentionally take a look at this alarming issue this week during #BlackMaternalHealthWeek. Become educated on the matter. Increase your awareness. Listen. Take action. Be part of the solution. #womenshealth #maternalhealth #motherhood #pregnancy #healthcare

"In the U.S., Black women face a maternal health crisis, with three times higher likelihood of pregnancy-related death compared to White women. Over 80% of these deaths are preventable." (Source: https://lnkd.in/e5YEi2A) Founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA), Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) aims to raise awareness, activism, and community support. It advocates for quality healthcare and addresses systemic racism in healthcare, urging culturally competent and sensitive care for Black women and birthing individuals. More details on how you can support and educate around this cause can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ehYr8bpt. BMMA offers information on its policy agenda, local events, a walk, and the work they do to help create true change in this space. #BMHW2024 #healthcare #patientadvocacy #blackmaternalhealthweek #patientsafety #qualityimprovement #maternalequity

Pregnancy presents new dangers and challenges for survivors of intimate partner violence, which are often amplified for Black women navigating the health care system. We know that the biases and institutional racism that still live in many of our systems, amongst other factors, all too often lead to health disparities and additional safety concerns for victims. This Black Maternal Health Week, we're highlighting Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA) and Black Women's Health Imperative as resources for learning more about improving maternal health for Black women, birthing people, and families everywhere. #BMHW24 #BlackMaternalHealthWeek https://lnkd.in/e9ntjPMp

This week, we celebrate Black Maternal Health Week, shining a light on the critical need to address racial and economic disparities in maternal health care. Black women are disproportionately affected by maternal mortality and morbidity, facing higher rates of complications and death during pregnancy and childbirth compared to their white counterparts. This disparity is unacceptable and underscores the urgent need for increased advocacy and accessibility for Black women in obstetric and gynecological health care. As we observe Black Maternal Health Week, let us recommit ourselves to advocating for policies and practices that prioritize the health and well-being of Black mothers. Let us work to ensure that every Black woman has access to high-quality maternal health care, free from discrimination and bias. Throughout this week, I'll be sharing information and resources to raise awareness about Black maternal health and to encourage action to address these disparities. Join me in this important conversation and together, let's strive to create a future where every Black woman receives the care and support she deserves. #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #BMHW2024 #BlackMamasMatter