African American families experience the death of a new mother three to four times more often than white families. Public health experts estimate that half of these deaths are avoidable and the ratio has not changed since the 1940s. At the same time, African American mothers’ rates of breastfeeding remain relatively low, a missed opportunity to improve the health of mothers and infants. This series explores how the health system influences what is termed “health disparities.”
Detroit’s Mother Nurture Project connects black mothers with peer breastfeeding counselors who offer support. Here’s how this community-oriented approach is helping.
In Detroit Hospital, Black Babies Are Latching On
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Simple Language Helps Catch a Killer: Preeclampsia
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It’s a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide and my research indicates women often can’t identify or describe the condition even if they have it. We’ve developed a low-literacy, low-cost information tool to help.
National Initiative Tackles Rising U.S. Maternal Deaths
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It starts with a focus on such preventable killers as obstetric hemorrhage, preeclampsia and blood clot embolisms. “The goal is that every hospital in the country should implement maternity safety bundles; a standard set of best practices,” says a doctor leading the effort.
U.S. Hospitals Hinder Black Women’s Breastfeeding
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The recent study finds that maternity centers may be part of the reason behind the country’s racial breastfeeding gap. A film released this week, in honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, is aimed at changing the trend.
New Twitter Storm Is About Public Breastfeeding
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When a mother posted a photo of herself nursing at her college graduation on a breastfeeding Facebook page, a flurry of disapproval quickly ignited all over social media. Questions are being raised about how public breastfeeding should be.