2. Institutions are stepping in to offer support
Some of medicine’s oldest organizations are working to increase awareness through innovative learning opportunities.
The American Hospital Association hosted the 2023 Institute for Diversity and Health Equity. Included in the event Understanding Bias in Black Maternal Health was a screening of the educational short film, Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story.
Events such as this provide physicians the opportunity to expand their understanding of complex issues and gain insights that contribute to professional success. Health care organizations and physician groups that prioritize such learning will be better prepared to meet the evolving needs of their patients and community.
3. Black maternal health is a population health emergency
Stories like those of Krystal Lakeshia Anderson, software engineer, patent holder for software to assess the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, and former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader, highlight the importance of Black Maternal Health Week. Despite her professional accomplishments and insight regarding maternal health issues, Krystal died from sepsis shortly after the stillbirth of her daughter. Her story reinforces the urgent need for improved care for Black birthing patients.
“Racism as a social construct has been identified as a persistent population health emergency and a fundamental cause of disease both in the United States and globally.” This quote is from a 2023 study on the pregnancy outcomes of Black women in the U.S. It explores the community, organizational, societal, interpersonal, and individual factors that contribute to the poor maternal health results that Black women experience.
Physicians who invest some time in understanding Black maternal health from a public health perspective will be better prepared to improve outcomes for their own patients.
4. Communication is a key area of opportunity for physicians
Physician communication is foundational to the outcomes of Black pregnancy patients. A 2022 study of pregnancy and birth experiences and factors that contribute to disparities found that mother-provider communication was “the most salient factor affecting the maternal experience.” The primary influences behind this factor were maternal health literacy and discriminatory attitudes and behaviors of providers in perinatal care.
With training and tools, physicians can improve their communication skills and bridge the gap in maternal health literacy. Patient engagement solutions that provide content tailored to individual and cultural needs are critical part of the physician toolbox.