Racial Disparities in Maternal Health

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, I welcome Dr. Jasmine Johnson (@mrsmommymd on Instagram). a Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow with a focus on women’s health disparities. 

Her research looks at the disparities that exist for Black women in pregnancy, labor and delivery.

Systemic Racism is a reality and healthcare plays a huge part of this.

Racism and bias can play a huge roll in the outcomes of Black mothers. 

In this episode we discuss:

1. Why it's important that we discuss systemic racism as it relates to healthcare.

2. Research in racism and pregnancy outcomes. 

3. Breastfeeding statistics for Black women compared to non-Black women.

4. How systemic racism put Black women, especially Black pregnant women, at a disadvantage. 

5. Why systemic racism effects us all.

6. What we can do to cause change. 

Further reading:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6834a3.htm

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/racial-disparities-persist-for-breastfeeding-moms-heres-why

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

Check out my weekly videos on child health & development by ⁠⁠subscribing to PedsDocTalk on YouTube⁠⁠.

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices