Black Maternal Mortality, Explained: What We’re Overlooking

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Discover the hidden epidemic [& solution for] Black maternal mortality.
The pressing issue of Black maternal mortality is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore in the United States. The country is grappling with the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations globally, with Black mothers being the most affected demographic. They are three times more likely to die during childbirth, a harrowing fact when considering that about 84% of these deaths could potentially be avoided, one study found.
Efforts to decrease Black maternal mortality are gaining traction, one of which is through media exposure. We at the Laura Flanders Show collaborated with URL Media, a network that comprises Black and Brown-owned news outlets, for this episode of 'Meet the BIPOC Press'.
In this episode, Laura and co-host Sara Lomax from Philadelphia’s WURD Radio spotlight the Black maternal health crisis. They talk to guests Marianne Fray, the CEO of Maternity Care Coalition, and Kenya Hunter, the Atlanta Health Reporter for Capital B News, to discuss and shed light on the issue.
This discussion revolves around the shocking Black maternal mortality rate and how Black women and birthing individuals are striving to take control of their pregnancies. This kind of conversation, focusing on community-centered responses, is essential to developing a more equitable healthcare system. It offers hope for better pregnancy outcomes and contributes significantly to addressing the Black maternal health crisis. By raising awareness of this issue, it can be hoped that the phrase 'Black Lives Matter' will be extended to encompass the vital sphere of maternal health as well.
00:00 Intro
00:45 Why is our medical system failing Black Americans?
03:26 Black maternal mortality in Georgia
06:07 Racial dynamic & root issues of maternal mortality
08:54 Abortion ban impacts on Black maternal care
12:28 What's being done about Black maternal mortality?
15:10 Policy changes needed
19:32 Queer healthcare
21:30 Designing motherhood project
22:58 Final thoughts
“We all came into this world through some person and it is a miraculous thing. If we could spend a little time reflecting on that, & then set up ourselves or whomever chooses to have children with the best possible outcome.” - Marianne Fray
“There was a researcher from the University of Colorado, Boulder, who predicted a 21% jump in pregnancy-related deaths in the country if Roe v Wade was overturned. But that number then jumps to 33% when you're talking about Black women.” - Kenya Hunter
Episode Guests:
Marianne Fray: CEO, Maternity Care Coalition
Kenya Hunter: Atlanta Health Reporter, Capital B News
Sara Lomax: Co-Founder, URL Media; President & CEO, WURD Radio
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#maternalhealth #blackhealthmatters

[@kathryntate6809]

This was excellent.

[@LauraFlandersAndFriends]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@reannastar1985]

I am a Traditional Holistic Midwife and Doula and I am going to be offering Pop Up prenatal Care clinics all around the state of Mississippi! I will help as many women as I can!

[@economicdevelopmentplannin8715]

Black maternal mortality goes down with black American healthcare providers. High demand for the services of black American health industry professionals. Meanwhile there's a limited supply. If the laws of economics were enforced, the systems would pay black American health industry professionals more money. But for racism, we're not rewarded. Instead, white operated health systems continue getting funded to bring disparate harm to our mothers

[@LauraFlandersAndFriends]

Yes to your point that there is high demand for African American health industry professionals! As our guests say, its so important to have a workforce that looks like the communities they're serving.