Black Maternal Health Week 2023
This week is Black Maternal Health Week and today, April 13th is recognized by the UN as International Day for Maternal Health and Rights.
“In 2020, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 3 times the rate for White women in the United States. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as lower quality healthcare, structural racism, and implicit bias from healthcare providers, and underlying chronic conditions. (Source: CDC)” – Black Mamas Alliance
We hope to bring awareness to this topic, as policies and studies work to pave the way to understanding and reducing racial health inequities. All mothers, including Black mothers, should be able to have safe and healthy pregnancies and births.
Events
- Birthing Justice, PBS Special; April 10th at 10:00pm; https://www.birthingjustice.com/watch/
- 1-Day Black Maternal Health Conference, Just Birth Network; April 12th; register online; Glaser Auditorium, Swedish Hospital - First Hill
- Birth Liberation: a Seattle Black Maternal Health Week Reproductive Justice book club meeting; Sabia Wade; April 14th at 5pm; register online; https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birthing-liberation-a-reproductive-justice-bookclub-with-author-sabia-wade-tickets-601640421697
- Our Joy Be Full: Black Kin Healing the Collective Body, Black Mamas Collective; April 15th from 2-6pm; Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute; https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-joy-be-full-seattle-black-maternal-health-week-2023-tickets-597495273447
Resources
- National Birth Equity Collaborative; https://birthequity.org/
Readings & Podcasts
- Protecting Your Birth: A Guide For Black Mothers How racism can impact your pre- and postnatal care — and advice for speaking to your Ob-Gyn about it https://www.nytimes.com/article/black-mothers-birth.html
- The Impact of Systemic Racism on Black Maternal Health https://everymothercounts.org/anti-racist-reading/
- NATAL: A Podcast about having a baby while black https://www.natalstories.com/
- Her Health First Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/her-health-first/id6442495105
- Sisters In Loss Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sisters-in-loss-podcast-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss/id1266536408
- Birthright Podcast https://birthrightpodcast.com/
- Obstetrics and Gynecology DEI Council Fund
- Support for Black Women’s Gynecological Health Program Fund