Hi, it’s Dr. Curry-Winchell, or Dr. BCW for short. Recently, I joined NBC News to shine a light on the critical issue of black maternal health in the United States. As we recognize Black Maternal Health Week, it’s essential to address the disturbing disparities affecting black mothers and their babies.
Raising Awareness: A National Imperative
My time on stage with Vice President Kamala Harris was more than ceremonial; it was a call to action. Black maternal health isn’t just a health crisis; it embodies the inequalities rampant within our healthcare system. These glaring statistics cannot continue to be just numbers. Black women face the highest maternal mortality rate. In fact, they are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, which cannot be ignored. Recognizing these issues is only the first step; investing in raising awareness is crucial for driving change.
Understanding and Advocacy: Personal Stories Matter
During the conversation, I shared my harrowing personal experience—as a black female physician, I nearly lost my life while giving birth. My story is not unique, which is why we must view black maternal health through multiple lenses. Symptoms like swelling, headaches, and extreme fatigue during pregnancy should be red flags. I urge my patients and every woman to trust their instincts; if something feels off, seek help immediately. Advocating for yourself is key. Recognizing not only the symptoms but the larger societal and medical biases at play is essential for survival.
Combating Unconscious Bias and Systemic Racism
It’s a harsh reality that black women often feel invisible within the healthcare context. They are not heard, and their concerns are not taken as seriously as they should be. This problem is compounded by unconscious biases and structural racism in healthcare. To address these issues, black women need to prioritize their health even before pregnancy and seek healthcare providers who will listen to and prioritize their health needs. As a society and within the medical community, we must do the work to recognize, address, and dismantle these biases and barriers.
In conclusion, as physicians, as individuals, and as a society, we must collaborate to eliminate the dire statistics associated with black maternal health. It’s a matter of life and death, and we owe it to every black woman to provide the care and the listening ear that could save her life.
