At a recent panel on Black Maternal Mortality hosted by the
University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion, Health Sciences Library, and University Physician’s Group, members
from the Charlottesville and UVA communities discussed how to approach change
for improving outcomes.
Having previously viewed the documentary Aftershock, the
diverse group of panelists acknowledged and expressed empathy at the trauma,
and in solidarity recognized the urgency for action. Views varied - from perspectives on equitable prenatal and postpartum treatment in traditional hospital care by physicians, to roles of doulas and midwives in alternative settings – the desire to close the gap was made clear, as was the benefit of public forums to effect change.
Looking for more resources on Black Maternal Mortality, download this fact sheet.
View UVA's Aftershock Panel Discussion (Passcode SN*6uJaP). UVA has another community discussion about the film planned on April 17th at Mount Zion First African Baptist Church in Charlottesville at 6pm.
More Great Content!
PBS is currently streaming Birthing Justice which provides additional learning opportunities. Understanding the history of inequitable practices in accessibility and treatment, and observing positive results from programs and policies to address change will assist in the overdue societal shift.
In this documentary, you'll see commentary from health care professionals across the country who reiterated that underdiagnosed conditions during pregnancy, concerns ignored during childbirth, and not having access to medical attention postpartum contribute to mortality rates. The idea of justice, the documentary relays, is not limited to facing accountability as a nation. It is also allowing the joy of bringing new life into the world to be realized by all families, in all communities, throughout the country.