SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Research shows Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. The CDC said more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths among Black women are preventable.
That's why organizations are highlighting Black maternal care from April 11- 17 for Black Maternal Health Week. It's a time to raise awareness and recognize the gaps in adverse maternal and birth outcomes in the country.
With a theme of "Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!" The Black Mamas Matter Alliance said this year's focus is on widespread restrictions on abortion care access. It reports many of the states with the most restrictions have the worst maternal and child health outcomes. The alliance urges people to demand comprehensive insurance coverage, improve access to care, and issue patient-centered guidance to providers.
ABC10 health expert Dr. Sristi Sharma said Black mothers can take charge by advocating for themselves.
"At any point, if you feel your care is substandard, or you're not being heard, speak up. That is one thing you can actually do because if there is a well-intended clinician who is taking care of you, who is treating you differently without even realizing, and this is called an implicit bias. If your clinician has implicit bias, they don't know that they are treating you differently. So, advocate for yourself and say, 'No I want my care to be done in a certain way, please hear me,'" Sharma said.
The community can also serve as an advocate. Sharma said if you work in health care, it's important to act on behalf of Black women if you notice unfair treatment.
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