die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related causes. So what is going on? What is it about being born in the United States that is putting black mothers and their babies at risk?
In the PBS documentary, Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick, Neonatologists, Dr. Richard David and Dr. James Collins believe that African American women are at increased risk during pregnancy, not because of their genes, but because of impact of experiencing racism over their lifetime- an impact that can outweigh even the benefits of higher social and class status.
Dr. Camara Jones, the former President of the American Public Health Association and renowned researcher whose work focuses on the impacts of racism on the health and well-being of the nation, described in her article, A Gardner’s Tale, that there are three levels of racism that influence individual health: institutional racism, personally mediated racism, and internalized racism. These levels manifest in unequal access to healthcare, employment, housing, education, and pay; and perceptions that African-American women have not achieved success because are not doing something right.
Ways Patients Can Advocate for Themselves
As a patient, there are ways you can advocate for yourself. WebMD lists The ABCs on How to Talk to Your Doctor:
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A: Ask Questions
If you do not understand a diagnosis or a word that your doctor uses, do not be afraid to ask your doctor, “What does that mean?” If you do not ask your doctor might assume you know.
B: Be Prepared
Research your condition and write down any questions that you may have.
C: Communicate Concerns and Desires
There are many barriers that impact a patient accessing health care: employment, housing, etc. Communicate these concerns to your doctor because even if they may not have the direct answer they can connect you to the right person.
Healthcare Providers
As healthcare providers and professionals, it is our duty to first and foremost LISTEN TO BLACK WOMEN. Equally, when we see racism, we must call it out! It is our duty to provide equitable care to all mothers by ensuring we have a culturally competent and a culturally diverse healthcare workforce that provides care without judgment, bias, and discrimination.
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Stacy Grundy, MPH, CHES is a Certified Health Education Specialist and has a B.S. in Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master’s of Public Health in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Texas School of Public Health. As a public health professional, her primary focus is the elimination of health disparities through policy, systems, and environmental changes.
