BMHW22: The Current Status of Black Maternal Health in the U.S.

04/12/22 • 31 min

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It’s officially Black Maternal Health Week 2022! Dr. Jamila Taylor, Director of Healthcare Reform and Senior Fellow at the Century Foundation, sits down to talk with us about the current status of Black maternal health in the U.S., as well as what access to abortion, pregnancy and delivery care, and COVID-19 services look like for Black pregnant people and other people of color in this country.

Even though the United States spends more per capita on health care than any other country, the maternal mortality rate is steadily worsening. Just last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data showing that Black women are three times more likely to die from maternal health issues and maternal morbidity than white women. These rates have steadily increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social and structural inequality as well as racism in the healthcare system continue to contribute to the poor health outcomes of Black women. Racism in healthcare can result in physical and mental health impacts, weathering (wear and tear on the body), and increased likelihood of experiencing complications during the pregnancy and birthing process.

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the ways in which marginalized communities continue to be further marginalized when it comes to healthcare access. The pandemic’s restrictions on those allowed inside hospitals and clinics impacted Black birthing people’s abilities to bring along companions into medical settings, like a friend, family member, or doula to serve as an additional patient advocate.

Already, the U.S. is experiencing a maternal mortality and morbidity crisis, but tacking on extreme attacks to abortion care will worsen health outcomes. A possible overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in June will leave the United States woefully unprepared for a worsening maternal mortality crisis, exacerbated by a lack of access to abortion care for millions. States that are most likely to pass the most draconian abortion restrictions are the states with the highest maternal mortality rates, mostly concentrated in the American south.

The Momnibus package, which has been led by Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and Congresswoman Alma Adams, is a package of 12 bills that address almost every dimension of the Black maternal health crisis. This package of legislation addresses a variety of intersectional Black maternal health concerns, including the social determinants of health, vaccinations, climate, housing, insurance coverage and more. Passage of the Momnibus would make a momentous difference in addressing the U.S. Black maternal health crisis.

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The Century Foundation on Twitter

The Century Foundation on Facebook

You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03

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Previous Episode

The Relentless Assault on Transgender Health and Rights

Across the country, measures are being introduced to restrict gender-affirming healthcare, ban LGBTQ+ books, and prevent trans girls and women from participating in sports. Katelyn Burns, the first openly trans Capitol Hill reporter in U.S. history, freelance journalist, MSNBC columnist, and co-host of podcast Cancel Me Daddy, sits down to talk with us about recent and increasing attacks on the health and rights of transgender people across the U.S.

Conservatives around the country have stepped up their attacks on trans rights with the attacks falling into a couple of different buckets. Conservative lawmakers are working to ban books about LGBTQ+ orientations and identities in schools and libraries. Florida has recently passed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which explicitly bans classroom discussion about LGBTQ+ issues, further empowers parents to sue school districts, and requires schools to disclose to parents when their child receives mental health services. At the same time, more than a dozen states have passed legislation that limit transgender girls competing in school sports. A total of 15 states this year have enacted or are considering laws that would limit or ban gender-affirming care—including puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy—for transgender youth. In Texas, the most recent law attacking gender-affirming care has arranged for the state’s Department of Family and Child Services to class provision of gender-affirming care to someone under 18 as child abuse.

Even with all of these attacks on trans rights it’s not all terrible news, on the Transgender Day of Visibility, the White House unveiled a host of meaningful policy rollouts, including having an “X” as one’s gender marker on one’s U.S. passport, working with airlines and the TSA on deprioritizing gender altogether when it comes to air travel, and the replacement of gender binary airport security scanners.

Links

Katelyn Burns on Twitter

Cancel Me Daddy

Human Rights Campaign rally information

White House Release on Transgender Day of Visibility

The massive Republican push to ban trans athletes, explained

Critics accuse trans swimming star Lia Thomas of having an unfair advantage. The data tells a different story

Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill would erase families like mine

Greg Abbott's death wish

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Next Episode

How Intimate Partner Violence is a Reproductive Justice Issue: A Personal Conversation

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Trigger Warning: In this episode we talk about intimate partner violence. If you need help or to talk to someone you can call or chat the National Domestic Violence Hotline at https://www.thehotline.org/ 1-800-799-SAFE or the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) at https://www.rainn.org/ 1-800-656-HOPE.

Intimate partner violence (IPV), or abuse or aggression in intimate or romantic relationships, takes many forms, including physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, financial violence, and psychological aggression. Monica Edwards, Federal Policy Manager at Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity (URGE), talks to us about the ways in which IPV and reproductive health, rights, and justice intersect, and the communities most impacted by IPV.

SisterSong’s definition of reproductive justice is “human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.” Forms of IPV that are directly connected to reproductive health and reproductive justice include tampering with contraception, contraceptive coercion, and “stealthing,” (the removal of a condom during sexual intercourse without a partner’s consent), among other forms. Those seeking abortion care may be unable to do so because they are in an IPV situation, and research from the Turnaway Study has shown that those who cannot access an abortion are more likely to stay with abusive partners. Those who are experiencing violence—intimate partner violence, police violence, violence from the state, etc.—are not living in safe and sustainable communities, and therefore cannot fulfill their reproductive justice.

It is important to note that IPV directly impacts different communities in different ways. A recent study has found that homicide is the leading cause of maternal mortality for pregnant people in the United States. Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) experience IPV disproportionately. Young people—whether teens or young adults—can experience IPV or what’s known as “teen dating violence,” and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 1 in 12 teens experience dating violence and 1 in 12 teens experienced sexual dating violence.

How do we address these issues that demand immediate attention? Having open, honest, and intersectional conversations that uplift and center the experiences of communities that are consistently oppressed. This rule is as true for intimate partner violence as it is for reproductive health and abortion and contraception access.

Links

URGE on Twitter

URGE on Facebook

You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03

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rePROs Fight Back - BMHW22: The Current Status of Black Maternal Health in the U.S.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:04.669

Welcome to repro, fight back a podcast where we explore all things, reproductive, health, rights, and justice. I'm your host, Jenny, we , and I'll be helping you stay informed your own issues like birth control, abortion, sex, education, and LGBTQ issue, and much , much more giving you the tools you need to take action and fight back. Okay. Let's dive in.

Speaker 100:00:31.870

Hi re rose , welcome to a special bonu

BMHW22: The Current Status of Black Maternal Health in the U.S. Top Questions Answered

How can access to treatment, vaccines, and care be improved for pregnant people and communities of color during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Access to treatment, vaccines, and care for pregnant people and communities of color during the COVID-19 pandemic can be improved through measures such as ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines, expanding testing and healthcare facilities in underserved areas, and providing culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate information and resources.

How do abortion access and abortion restrictions affect maternal health, particularly for communities of color?

Abortion access and restrictions can have a significant impact on maternal health, especially for communities of color. Limited access to safe and legal abortion services can lead to higher rates of unsafe abortions and maternal mortality. Restrictions can create barriers to timely and necessary care, exacerbating existing health disparities.

Which states in the United States have higher rates of abortion bans and restrictions and poor maternal health outcomes?

Several states, particularly in the southern part of the United States, have higher rates of abortion bans and restrictions as well as poor maternal health outcomes. These include states like Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, among others.

What are the Black Maternal Health Mom and the Black Maternal Health Omnibus, and how do they address the black maternal health crisis?

The Black Maternal Health Mom and the Black Maternal Health Omnibus are comprehensive legislative packages aimed at addressing the black maternal health crisis. These initiatives propose various measures to improve access to quality maternal healthcare, address racial disparities, and enhance overall maternal health outcomes for Black women and birthing people.

How can insurance coverage be improved to enhance maternal health outcomes?

Improving insurance coverage is crucial for enhancing maternal health outcomes. Measures such as extending Medicaid coverage for a full year postpartum can provide women with continuous access to healthcare, allowing for timely interventions, preventive care, and management of postpartum complications.

How can advocates support initiatives addressing the black maternal health crisis?

Advocates can support initiatives addressing the black maternal health crisis by calling their members of Congress, urging them to co-sponsor relevant legislation, and expressing support for bills like the Build Back Better Act and abortion rights bills. Active engagement and raising awareness are crucial for driving change.

What is the potential impact of the investments in black maternal health and postpartum coverage in the Build Back Better Act?

The investments in black maternal health and postpartum coverage in the Build Back Better Act have the potential to positively impact over a million women. These investments can lead to improved access to healthcare services, reduced health disparities, and better overall health outcomes for Black birthing people.

How can the audience support abortion funds and engage with the reproductive rights and justice community?

The audience can support abortion funds by contributing donations to organizations that provide financial assistance for individuals seeking abortions. Additionally, they can engage with the reproductive rights and justice community by participating in advocacy efforts, staying informed about relevant legislation, and supporting local and national initiatives.

What is the role of reproductive rights and justice in addressing the maternal health crisis?

Reproductive rights and justice play a crucial role in addressing the maternal health crisis. By advocating for equitable access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion services, contraception, and comprehensive sex education, we can work towards reducing maternal mortality, promoting reproductive autonomy, and addressing systemic disparities.

How can individuals support efforts to improve black maternal health at the federal level?

Individuals can support efforts to improve black maternal health at the federal level by staying informed about legislative initiatives, contacting their elected representatives to express support, participating in advocacy campaigns, and joining grassroots organizations dedicated to maternal health and racial equity.

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