Take care. Be well.

April

 is National Minority Health Awareness Month, wasn't randomly--it traces back to 1915, when Booker T Washington launched National Negro Week to address the poor health conditions of Black Americans due to segregation, poverty, and lack of access to care. Today over 100 years  later many of those same disparities still exist-just in more complex ways.

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The Reality: Health Disparities in the Black Community

• Black Americans are still disproportionately affected by preventable conditions:

• Hypertension-55-60% of Black adults (highest of any group in the U.S.).

• Diabetes- 60% more likely to be diagnosed than white adults.

• Heart Disease: leading cause of death; Black adults die at higher rates.

• Stroke: Nearly 2x more likely to die compared to white adults.

• Maternal Mortality: 3-x higher than white women.

• Infant mortality: Over 2x higher for Black babies.

• Cancer Mortality: Higher death rates despite similar of lower incidence in some cancers.

• These are not just heart issues-they are systemic outcomes.

 

Major Barriers in the Bronx

• Financial strain,

• Highest of care, even with insurance,  

• Choosing between rent, food or medical visits,

• Transportation challenges, long travel times to quality providers,

• limited access to specialty care nearby, lack of childcare,

• missing appointments because there's no one to watch children.

• Fear of missing work, lost wages or job risk for attending appointments,

• limited access to quality facilities, overburden hospitals and clinics.

• Environmental factors pollution housing conditions food deserts.

 

In the Bronx, the factors combine making prevention and follow up care harder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Black Maternal Health Week

 

April (11-17) was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA). It was created to bring national attention to the Black maternal health crisis, to center black womens's lived experiences. To push for policy, systems and community-based solutions. This is a week - long national campaign, it aligns with National Minority Month. The April 11, date is to connect with global maternal health advocacy efforts. Most importantly, it was created because traditional healthcare systems were and are not addressing the crisis adequately.

The Reality for Black Mothers

• BMHW focuses on"awareness activism and community building"led by Black women organizations*. This is not awareness-it is a movement led by Black women to change systems.  

• Black women are over 3x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. Over 80% of maternal deaths are preventable.                                   ​

• In New York City  Black women are up to 6x more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women.

• Many Black mothers have expressed that they are  not being heard when expressing pain or symptoms.  

• Some have experienced delayed diagnoses (especially postpartum complications). Black mothers report  being labeled '"aggressive" or "difficult" when advocating for themselves.

• Many have stated that they have less access to consistent, quality prenatal care, this leads to complications during pregnancy, dangerous labor experiences, higher postpartum deaths.

• BMHW also exists because of fear and mistrust. Fear of dying

• during childbirth, fear being dismissed; Black mother have anxiety

• during pregnancy due to past stories or lived experience.  Many 

• Black mothers have lack of trust in their providers. BMHW  shines

• a light on why Black mothers are asking for dignity, respect

• and culturally competent care.​​  ​

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Maternal Health Steering Committee​

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• Budget proposals focused on reducing racial disparitites

• Collaboration between hospitals, policy makers, and community group

• Are often diagnosed at later stages. Bronx women particularly those in underserved communities.

• Hospitals &Community - based programs across Bronx hospitals systems (including New York Health +Hospitals, Montefiore) there has been a shift toward:

• Communities struggle for access regular screenings and quality healthcare, which Pre + Postnatal Support Programs

• Expanded prenatal care access

• Postpartum followups especially within first year

• Mental Health screening for mothers

• Patient Navigators/Care Coordinators help:

• Schedule appointments

• Understand insurance

• Stay connected to care

• Community - Based Care Program

• Parenting support

• lactation support

• Health Education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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