Ailie Taylor Reasons, MBA’s Post

During #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, it's essential to shed light on the complex factors contributing to the current state of Black maternal health in the U.S. A recent issue brief by the National Partnership for Women and Families examines the interplay of systemic racism, discrimination in healthcare, and economic inequities that lead to disparate maternal health outcomes for Black women. Economic inequities, in particular, have a significant impact on Black maternal health. Studies show that Black women face wealth and income gaps, which can negatively affect their health outcomes. They also report that adults in communities of color, especially Black adults, are more likely to have medical debt reported to collections. Rivia Health recognizes the importance of addressing economic barriers to maternal healthcare. We ensure women have access to zero-interest, credit-risk-free financing, preventing them from being sent to collections or resorting to financing healthcare payments with credit card debt. Our platform makes it easier for patients to become aware of, understand, manage, and pay their bills, empowering them to take control of their financial health during this critical time. Through our work, Rivia Health aims to reduce disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women by addressing the economic challenges they face. We believe that all mothers deserve access to quality healthcare without compromising their financial stability. To learn more about the factors influencing Black maternal health and the importance of a multifaceted approach to addressing this issue, we encourage you to read the full issue brief by the National Partnership for Women and Families. https://lnkd.in/ghKN8dC2

It's easy to want to remain in denial about America's maternal mortality crisis, but the truth is we just can't afford to anymore. More women die giving birth in America than in any other industrialized nation but race plays a major role in driving these statistics. In my book, #ThePainGap, I examine both how and why. Have a look at some of these numbers: 🤰🏽Women of color are currently two to three times more likely to die giving birth in America, but it is Black women who are paying the highest price. 🤰🏽Studies show that they are 243 (!) percent more likely to die than their white counterparts. They have a death rate of 40.8 per 100,000 births, while white birthing people have a rate of 14.7 per 100,000. 🤰🏽Black women are also more likely than Asian or Latina women to die from pregnancy-related complications regardless of their education or income. 🤰🏽A 2016 analysis of five years of data found that Black, college-educated mothers who gave birth in local hospitals were *more* likely to suffer severe complications during pregnancy or childbirth than white women who never graduated from high school. The vast majority of these deaths are needless and preventable. No woman should die giving birth anywhere, especially not in the world's richest democracy. Check out this latest piece from the The New York Times. Were you aware of how dangerous it is to deliver a baby as a woman of color in America?

As we draw near the conclusion of Black Maternal Health Week, I implore each of you to introspect on the role you can play in ameliorating the stark health inequities faced by Black women. As a Black woman who recently gave birth to my third child, this issue resonates deeply with me. Throughout my pregnancy journey, I viewed the healthcare system through a different lens, informed by my decade-long dedication to this field. Regrettably, I must confess that while I was treated "equally", equity in my care remained elusive. Instances abound where I found myself compelled to inquire about critical matters such as my risk of preeclampsia and potential risk-reduction strategies like aspirin intake. Dishearteningly, such crucial information wasn't proactively provided by my healthcare provider, leaving me feeling inadequately informed. Despite possessing relevant knowledge, I found myself in a disheartening scenario where my healthcare team remained unaware of crucial factors. The casual response of "sure, take aspirin if you wish" was insufficient, considering my moderate risk profile as an African American woman over the age of 35. Furthermore, I encountered recommendations for induction devoid of medical necessity prior to my due date. This decision lacked informed consent and neglected shared decision-making, compelling me to rely on my professional acumen and seek counsel from colleagues. Through careful consideration, I concluded that an induction was unwarranted. I steadfastly advocated for my preference, cognizant that an induced labor could jeopardize my desired unmedicated delivery and significantly elevate the likelihood of cesarean section by 50%. In recounting these experiences, it becomes apparent that I felt underserved, inadequately educated, and unheard within the healthcare system. I shudder to contemplate the potential outcomes had I not possessed the knowledge and resources afforded by my professional background. Therefore, I implore individuals to arm themselves with knowledge, advocate fiercely for their needs, and seek support when confronted with discomfort or uncertainty. Gratefully, I welcomed my precious baby girl into the world on March 24, 2024, with both of us safe and sound. I take solace in knowing that my advocacy, coupled with the support of my allies, amplified my voice and ensured the best possible outcome for myself and my child. Our Bodies STILL Belong to US. #blackmomsmatter #blackmaternalhealthweek #BMMA #healthcare #equitable

Nationally, Native American and Black women, according to the CDC, are twice as likely as white women to die of pregnancy-related causes. And when there isn’t a death, bias and discrimination can still lead to harm. A survey commissioned by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota revealed that more than half the respondents — all Black birthing people in Minnesota — cited discrimination as having a negative effect on their health. The survey also indicated that many respondents had low confidence that their needs were being met, especially postpartum needs. Community-led efforts that center cultural wisdom are key to addressing maternal health inequities. "By listening to birthing parents and providing them with education, resources and the ability to craft culturally affirming birthing experiences, these providers are making sure that Black and Indigenous birthing parents can have healthy, affirming experiences giving birth." 

It’s jarring to see the numbers, really. Black women face such higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth—it’s not just an alarming statistic; (Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their White counterparts). It’s a reality that hits too close to home for many, including myself. Yet, this isn’t about just numbers or personal stories; it’s about the urgency to overhaul a system that’s failing mothers daily. It’s time for a change that we can all be a part of. During this pivotal week, we reflect on the urgent call to action by experts like Dr. Jamila Taylor . Despite living in a nation prided for advancement, the U.S. sees Black women three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their White counterparts. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reflection of deep-seated structural racism affecting real lives. I share my story not to evoke fear, but to ignite change. Black maternal health is a matter of life or death, and the disparities are a policy failure we must urgently address. As professionals, we have the power to shape a future where joy, not fear, defines the maternal experience for Black women. #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #HealthEquity #ActNow

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Celebrating day 2 of the 7th Annual Black Maternal Health Week established first by Black Mamas Matter Alliance. Our #BMHW24 theme is: “Our Bodies Still Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!” Take time to learn more about community informed models of perinatal health care that operationalize the praxis of #ReproJustice. Let’s be open to interrogating physician centered and led models of care that reinforce subjugation and harm of Black birthing individuals and communities. As an dissident and recovering Southern Black woman OBGYN, I reconcile daily with contemporary oppressive ideologies and praxes of sexual, reproductive and perinatal health care provision in the U.S. that originated in chattel slavery and extended into the antebellum era. Unfortunately, the past is here in the present shaping our future unless we #Resist and #Refuse to go backwards. Take action today and be curious, critical, compassionate, courageous and creative. Stand in solidarity with us as we commit to applying #ReproJustice in all that we do!! Abstract Perinatal health outcomes in the United States continue to worsen, with the greatest burden of inequity falling on Black birthing communities. Despite transdisciplinary literature citing structural racism as a root cause of inequity, interventions continue to be mostly physician-centered models of perinatal and reproductive healthcare (PRH). These models prioritize individual, biomedical risk identification and stratification as solutions to achieving equity, without adequately addressing the social and structural determinants of health. The objective of this review is to: (1) examine the association between the impact of structural and obstetric racism and patient-centered access to PRH, (2) define and apply reproductive justice (RJ) as a framework to combat structural and obstetric racism in PRH, and (3) describe and demonstrate how to use an RJ lens to critically analyze physician-led and community-informed PRH models. We conclude with recommendations for building a PRH workforce whose capacity is aligned with racial equity. Institutional alignment with a RJ praxis creates opportunities for advancing PRH workforce diversification and development and improving PRH experiences and outcomes for our patients, communities, and workforce. Click on the link below to read our 2020 open access publication: https://lnkd.in/eGB-SdUD

Virtual doulas have been a part of Ruth Health (YC S21) since our pre-Y Combinator roadmap in 2021. This incredible research from Maven Clinic proves what many of us at the intersection of birthwork + digital health have known for years: ACCESS changes OUTCOMES. Including: >>C-section rates lowered (especially among Black birthing people) >>Odds of VBAC increased (vaginal birth after Caesarean) >>Birth satisfaction increased >>Learning medically accurate info >>Managing anxiety or depression We've seen evidence from Ruth Health (YC S21) Birth Navigator programs with virtual doulas, too—though not yet on this massive scale. Our 23% average utilization means the value of accessible remote doulas to our clinical partners and their patients is meaningful and continuous. Thank you Maven Clinic team—Julie Binder Christa Moss Dawn Godbolt, Ph.D. Neel Shah Kate Ryder —for a data tide that lifts all virtual doula boats!

That's very important and urgent issue to address, though few of the measures could be taken to help prevent black maternal health crisis are: Promote cultural competency and anti-bias training: Healthcare providers should receive training on cultural competency and anti-bias practices to better understand and address the unique needs and experiences of black maternal women. This can help reduce racial disparities in healthcare outcomes and ensure respectful and inclusive care. Address social determinants of health: Recognize that health outcomes are influenced by social and economic factors such as poverty, housing instability, and limited access to education. Implement policies and programs that aim to reduce these disparities through initiatives like affordable housing, job training, and quality education specially in american-african dominant population areas in the US. Expand maternal health research: Increase funding and support for research focused on understanding the causes and solutions to the black maternal women health crisis. This can help identify effective interventions, highlight the impact of systemic racism on healthcare outcomes, and inform policy decisions.

In our recent study, we examined the association between women’s empowerment and homebirth among childbearing women in Sierra Leone using the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey. We found that despite improvements in maternal health indicators, homebirth by unskilled birth attendants is still a public health concern in Sierra Leone. Women with low knowledge levels, who did not have power to refuse the idea of intimate partner violence against women, had less than four ANC visits and considered distance to a health facility as a major problem had higher odds of giving birth at home. Our findings reflect the need to empower women by improving their knowledge level through girl child and adult education, increasing media exposure, changing societal norms and unequal power relations that promote gender-based violence against women, and improving roads and transport infrastructure. Congratulations: Peter Bai James, B.Pharm Hons, MMed, PhD George Yendewa, MD, MPHTM, FACP, FIDSA abdulai jawo Bah Jia Kangbai, PhD, MPH, MSc Satta Sylvia Kpagoi Jon Wardle @Emmanuel Kamanda Margao https://rdcu.be/drOeb

Today marks the beginning of Black Maternal Health Week! (4/11/-4/17/24) ⪼Did you know that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women? This staggering statistic is just one reflection of the systemic racism and bias deeply ingrained in our healthcare systems. ⪼Black mothers too often face dismissiveness and neglect when seeking assistance or experiencing severe pregnancy complications. Environmental injustices and socioeconomic disparities further exacerbate these challenges, impacting access to safe housing, transportation, and healthcare. ⪼Maternal mental health is a critical component of overall well-being during pregnancy and postpartum. Yet, Black women experience maternal mental health symptoms at nearly twice the rate of all women, with up to half not receiving adequate support or treatment. These disparities highlight the urgent need for action and systemic change. ⪼During Black Maternal Mental Health Week, let's amplify awareness and advocate for meaningful interventions. It's time to call on healthcare providers to prioritize screening, support, and treatment for maternal mental health conditions among Black women. ⪼ Improving the training of healthcare providers is crucial for ensuring equitable care, particularly for marginalized communities such as women of color. Incorporating trauma-informed care is essential to address the healthcare disparities faced by women of color and to prevent the perpetuation of inequities within the healthcare system. ⪼Healthcare providers need to be sensitized to the unique challenges black women face, especially concerning reproductive care. This includes understanding historical and systemic factors that contribute to disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. By cultivating comprehensive healthcare systems that prioritize sensitivity and understanding, we can begin to address these disparities and work towards a more equitable healthcare paradigm & create a more equitable and supportive environment for all mothers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #MaternalMentalHealth #SupportBlackMothers Make sure to hit the bell icon on my profile to receive notifications for all my updates on health and wellness! 🔔