Experts On Maternal Health & Critical Race Theory: The Injustice Exposed (Ep191)

Expert On Maternal Health & Critical Race Theory: The Injustice Exposed

In this eye-opening YouTube discussion, a distinguished panel of experts unpacks the deeply entrenched racial injustices affecting Black maternal health in the U.S. Panelists Adjoa Jones, Birth Equity Unit Chief, LA County Department Of Public Health, and Director Of LA County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative; Board Champion For Black Women For Wellness; Toy R. Hightower, Certified Community Based Doula (pioneer), Coordinator For Incarcerated Birthing Persons, LA County, and Dr. Taska Moore, a leading OB/GYN and Founder of this platform; Healthy Bump Club, dive into the intersection of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and maternal health, revealing how systemic racism has perpetuated disparities in healthcare. Moderated by Nakeisha Perkins Robinson, Maternal Health Consultant For "I Dream For Racial Health Equity", Clinical Consultant, LA County Department Of Public Health (Perinatal Innovation Unit), Board Member For Breastfeed LA; this conversation sheds light on the urgent need to address racism in medicine and the devastating impact it continues to have on Black women’s maternal outcomes.

The panel explores the alarming statistics surrounding Black maternal mortality, where Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than their white counterparts. Through the lens of Critical Race Theory, the experts expose how institutionalized racism—historically and in present-day medical practices—leads to biased treatment, lack of compassionate care, and systemic neglect.

Uncompassionate care is a recurring theme in the discussion, as the panelists recount harrowing stories of Black women who were dismissed, unheard, and dehumanized in clinical settings. Dr. Moore highlights how medical biases—from biased algorithms to stereotypes about lifestyle—can lead to dangerous delays in diagnosis and treatment. These biases are not just individual acts but are embedded within the healthcare system, resulting in discriminatory practices that have cost Black women their lives.

The conversation also tackles the concept of health deserts, where predominantly Black and marginalized communities have limited or no access to quality maternal healthcare. The panel examines how structural racism leads to the underfunding of hospitals and clinics in these areas, leaving pregnant Black women without adequate prenatal care or support services.

Particularly chilling is the panel’s exploration of how incarcerated Black women are dehumanized and denied basic reproductive rights. Toy R. Hightower emphasizes how these healthcare disparities impact incarcerated moms who often face the challenge of maintaining autonomy of their bodies and subsequent medical decision-making. From their birth plans being usurped during childbirth to neglect in providing prenatal care, the system subjects incarcerated Black mothers to inhumane treatment that exacerbates their risk of maternal mortality and poor outcomes.

Adjoa Jones provides powerful insights into the multifaceted solutions needed to combat these disparities. She layered the historical context nationally and in Los Angeles County, mapping the footsteps of racism throughout maternal health, as it transforms from the overt to the institutionalized. From policy changes to healthcare reform, she emphasizes that addressing racism in medicine is essential to improving Black maternal health and ensuring that Black women receive the compassionate, competent care they deserve.

This video is essential viewing for anyone committed to health equity and social justice. With keywords like disparities in healthcare, Black maternal health, racism in medicine, and maternal mortality, this critical conversation reveals the stark realities of systemic racism in maternal healthcare and challenges viewers to take action to dismantle these injustices.

#maternalhealth #maternalhealthcare #blackwomenshealth #blackmaternalhealth #criticalracetheory #blackempowerment #podcast #paneldiscussion #advocacy #equity #healthpolicy #healthcare #unitedstates #unitedstatesofamerica

This video is for educational purposes only. Speak with your healthcare team for guidance that is specific to you.
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00:00 Introduction
03:24 Meet The Panelists
08:53 Why Black Maternal Health Advocacy
18:46 Changes In Black Maternal Wellness
21:58 Advocacy As A Doula
26:02 Autonomy & Incarceration
27:57 Hurdles In Black Maternal Health Equity
39:16 Advancing Black Maternal Wellness
46:31 Playbook On Improving Black Maternal Health Outcomes