Resources for Health Equity

Improving the health of parents and children in Pierce County.

Why America’s Black mothers and babies are in a life-or-death crisis—A mother’s tragic birthing experience and the reality of health care for African American women.
Nothing protects Black women from dying in pregnancy and childbirth—A CDC epidemiologist’s tragic story. You can also listen to this mom’s story on this NPR podcast.
For Serena Williams, childbirth was a harrowing ordeal. She’s not alone—Serena Williams’ birth story.

Dismantling structural racism, supporting Black lives, and achieving health equity: Our role—Understanding racism and health equity.
Why racial gaps in maternal mortality exist—A brief explanation on health disparities and its impact on maternal mortality among Black women.
The impact of racism on child and adolescent health—How racism influences adolescent health outcomes.
Black mothers get less treatment for their postpartum depression—Why Black women are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression.

Vital signs: Pregnancy-related deaths, United States, 2011–2015, and Strategies for Prevention, 13 States, 2013–2017—Maternal mortality statistics.
How can we stop new mothers from dying?—Data on the rise of maternal mortality and how California has created a model system that lowers maternal mortality rates.
Race isn’t a risk factor in maternal health. Racism is—The language of the moment suggests that it’s Blackness that’s the problem, not bias.

Black Infant Health—Connects Pierce County Black women and their children to resources and support.
Black Mamas Matter—Works to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists—Committed to improve women’s health outcomes by eliminating health disparities.
National Institute for Children’s Health Equality—Steps to minimize implicit bias and a quiz to assess your own implicit bias.

Death by delivery—This 43-minute documentary by Fusion TV, covers the issue of high maternal mortality rates in America among black women.
What is bias?—This 5-minute video explains implicit and unconscious bias.
Unequal opportunity race—This 4-minute metaphorical video discussed race inequality.
Chocolate milk—This documentary discussed the lack of breastfeeding among black mothers.

Lost mothers: Maternal care and preventable deaths—This website contains a downloadable tool kit for community conversations. The initial project is a fascinating example of using social media and crowd funding sites to tell the story, as maternal mortality data are not consistently collected/reported.
Health equity infographic—Fairness across places.
Why your zip code matters—Healthy equity and Pierce County communities of focus.
How racism can affect child development—Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child.