Jul 18, 2020

Black Mamas are Dying!! Here is Why.

Updated: Aug 9, 2020

Black mothers are dying at alarmingly high rates compared to their caucasian counterparts.

Here are the reasons why:

Institutionalized racism evoking physiological stress causing wear and tear on the body
Implicit bias from providers

I also provide solutions that the 3P's (the patient, the physician, and the political powers) can do to address it:

For the patient: understand your body, know when something feels wrong and seek care from a physician. If who you see discredits your complaint go to another physician. Know your medical history, the medications you are taking, and the diagnosis you are given. Your body is your own to love and care for. Do it well! Understand that knowledge is power.

Hosea 4:6 My people perish for a lack of knowledge

For the healthcare provider: check your implicit bias get cultural competency training!
For the resident physician: help create a culture that is socially aware of implicit bias and a lack of cultural competence. If your institution does not address health disparities or even know the statistics in your institution, collect the data and create quality improvement projects to help address the issue in your community
For the political powers: Increase the matriculation of minorities into healthcare training programs. This starts with fixing the disparity seen in the education system and access to equal opportunities from K-12.

Fun facts about Jenn Jenn

Now that I think about it, all the institutions I've been a part of have featured me in some way. How cool!

College: Had an article written once I completed my program at Harvard

Medical School: I was on a billboard on the highway highlighting our medical school and featured in their newsletter once I got accepted into Harvard for my masters.

Masters: I was featured in a youtube video on why I wanted to pursue a degree in public health

Residency: I wrote an article for my current institutions magazine on racial and ethnic disparities in women's health

Check out the youtube video I did for Harvard: