Together Women's Health’s Post

March marks Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on a condition that affects an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. This month, we recognize the importance of research, education, and advocacy in understanding endometriosis, a chronic and often painful condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Endometriosis is more than just a medical condition; it’s a catalyst for discussions about women’s health and the need for more empathetic and informed healthcare. As we wear yellow ribbons to raise awareness, let’s also commit to supporting those affected through advocacy, education, and research. #EndometriosisAwareness #WomensHealth #HealthcareAdvocacy

"📣💚👶🏾NEWS COVERAGE ALERT We secured coverage for our client on California’s Spectrum News “In Focus SoCal” show! The feature highlights the incredible work of Sankofa Birthworkers Collective, a partner of our client Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI). PEI is a community-driven and implemented initiative designed to address racial disparities in infant mortality by providing meaningful support and resources to Black families. One way they do this is by complementing Sankofa Birthworkers Collective’s FREE programs and direct doula services for Black birthing families. Pitching to the Media When pitching a story, Nice focuses on: 1. Highlighting what makes the client’s story unique. 2. Centering personal stories and community impact. 3. Tailoring pitches based on the journalist’s previous work and interests. Pitching to the media is an important skill to have in your communications strategy. Let us help you gain media coverage for an upcoming event or initiative. Visit Nicemediagroup.com to learn more! #SankofaBirthworkersCollective #InFocusSoCal #SpectrumNews #Birthworkers #BlackBirthingFamilies #Community #PEI #BlackInfantHealth #maternalhealth #RiversideCounty #SanBernardinoCounty #mediapitching #publicrelations

A keystone of the project is its focus on the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, a proposed law comprising 13 bills with the aim of addressing systemic racism in healthcare. The bills include making investments to improve social health determinants, such as housing and nutrition; expanding the maternal health workforce; improving data collection and quality measures; and funding preventive care and support services for Black families. #health #medical #medicine

#BMHW24 continues! Today is Policy Day–a chance to amplify the need for policy to advance maternal health and birth justice. At Every Mother Counts, we collaborate with lawmakers, advocates, providers, and community-based organizations to support policies that improve outcomes and experiences of care, address inequalities in maternal health, and promote accountability. Advocacy is key to transforming our maternal health systems. Here are two actions you can take today: 📖 Read and share the comprehensive and actionable “Policy Agenda for the Black Maternal Health, Rights, and Justice Movement” from Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA): https://bit.ly/3Ji8YVB 📧 Show your support for the Black Maternal Health #Momnibus Act, a set of 13 bills that address the systemic drivers of the U.S. maternal health crisis and reach out to your elected officials: https://bit.ly/3MvuUyF

“We have to recognize how addressing something as simple as diaper need can really influence the economic viability of our families in Connecticut,” Selina Osei, Director of Health Equity and Community Engagement, CHA said at Wednesday’s press conference to kick off Diaper Day at the Capitol. Advocates, lawmakers, and state leaders have united to launch a statewide diaper drive in support of Diaper Connections, a program that screens for diaper need in hospitals and connects families to resources.   On the last day of #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, advocates emphasized that access to #diapers plays a crucial role in #healthequity. CHA continues to follow a four-part strategy to improve maternal health, including by partnering with community stakeholders to address structural, root cause drivers of maternal health such as racism, discrimination, and economic inequality. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, according to the CDC. Connecticut hospitals and healthcare providers are committed to addressing the disparities that put Black women at higher risk of pregnancy-related complications.   #BMHW is also an important reminder to constantly promote awareness, action, and education for the improvement of Black maternal health outcomes.   Read CHA’s Statewide Strategy To Improve Maternal Health: https://lnkd.in/ev6d659Q

Despite its prevalence, the exact cause of #endometriosis is still unknown, and research into endometriosis has been underfunded and under prioritized. This Endometriosis Advocacy Toolkit was created by the Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR) with support from Endo What?, Endo Black, Inc., Endometriosis Foundation of America, and The Endometriosis Coalition in order to support endometriosis advocates in contacting their congressional representatives and asking for increased funding for endometriosis research and care: https://lnkd.in/eexrAdGW Would you like to see additional funding given for endometriosis care and research? Use this new advocacy toolkit to contact your members of Congress today! #SWHRtalksEndometriosis #endoblack #endoco #endowhat #endometriosisfoundationofamerica

Women of color, particularly Black and Indigenous women, face significant health disparities compared to their white counterparts. Some of these disparities are: Maternal mortality —Black women are 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications than white women. Chronic diseases —Black and Hispanic women have higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity than white women. Mental illness —Black and Hispanic women are less likely to receive mental health services and treatment. To address these disparities, it's important to prioritize healthcare for women of color, particularly those who are pregnant or have chronic conditions. This can include increasing access to affordable healthcare, investing in preventive care, and addressing systemic racism and social inequities. It's also important to ensure that healthcare providers receive cultural competency training and that there is diversity in the healthcare workforce. We invite you to please fill out this survey, so your voices will be heard. We are connecting with the Healthy Voices Campaign and Policy Matters to not just talk about change but to actually but get the ball rolling so we can make the changes needed with those that made the laws. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey. PleSe share with your daughters, neighbors and friends. https://lnkd.in/gbG_G_22

Dear MS, Racial disparities exist. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Social determinants of health prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), multiple factors contribute to disparities that result in continuous highly rated Black maternal mortality rates, including: Quality healthcare Underlying chronic conditions Structural racism Implicit bias Today, International Day for Maternal Health and Rights, is just the beginning of this acknowledgment, kicking off Black Maternal Health Week, which continues until April 17. Adequate birthing support includes a medical representative who listens to their patients to decrease Black maternal death. We need help with this in Mississippi, a place where maternal mortality rates tend to tinker between first and top 10 annually. Black Mamma’s Matter Alliance (BMMA), the founder of Black Maternal Health Week, has themed this year’s week, “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!” Take this week to call your local representative to let them know what we need: access to abortion care, Medicaid expansion, and doctors who listen to our concerns. Best Regards, Dr. Sandra Melvin Health Committee Chair, MS State Conference NAACP Chief Executive Officer/Founder, Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health https://lnkd.in/eve5x22T

It's Black Maternal Health Week 2024 (#BMHW24), and it's time to ask why the urgency of this conversation isn't resonating as it should. Advocating for more awareness of Black maternal health is critical, yet many posts are not being included in the thread of comments and posts. We need to take action by asking others if they have seen such posts and, if not, repost and trend the topic. #policychanges Black women still face significant barriers to quality maternal healthcare, resulting in alarming disparities in outcomes. Advocates are needed to bring attention to the urgent need for change in Black maternal health. Let's amplify our voices and advocate for policies prioritizing maternal health equity, paving the way for dramatic improvements in 2024 and beyond. Spread the word with the hashtags #BMHW24, #ReproductiveJustice, and #BlackMaternalHealth. Let's work together to ensure every Black mother receives the care and support she deserves. Remember, healthcare matters. It's time for inclusion, and the time is now.

🌟 Reflecting on Insights from the 2024 Maternal and Child Health Conference 🌟 I recently had the privilege of attending the 2024 Maternal and Child Health Conference organized by Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. This year's conference was dedicated to translating policy into action to address the complexities surrounding maternal and child health disparities. Here are some key takeaways that resonated deeply with me: "Medicine is a social science, and politics is medicine on a large scale." - Rudolf Virchow. This quote encapsulates the profound connection between healthcare and policy, highlighting advocacy's pivotal role in driving systemic change. 🔹 Advocacy vs. Lobbying: Building Relationships and Making Your Ask Advocacy involves building and nurturing relationships with decision-makers, providing education and updates, and collaborating to introduce legislation or host advocacy events. On the other hand, lobbying entails making specific requests and advocating for policies that support our mission. 🔹 The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy Storytelling humanizes issues and creates empathy, making it a powerful tool for advocating change. Compelling narratives can help us connect with stakeholders and garner support for impactful initiatives. 🔹 Collaborating with Multi-disciplinary Experts Legislators rely on insights from diverse experts to inform policy decisions. Our collective expertise and collaboration can drive evidence-based solutions that benefit maternal and child health outcomes. 🔹 Strategies for Effective Advocacy Educating decision-makers, providing testimony, engaging the community, and building networks are essential strategies for driving meaningful policy change. As we continue our advocacy journey, let's remember the importance of honing our message, building relationships, and working collaboratively to impact maternal and child health positively. #MaternalHealth #ChildHealth #Advocacy #PolicyChange #HealthEquity