The Critical State of Black Women’s Health in Arkansas

To kick off the start of Black Maternal Health Week, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families hosted a forum to focus on the factors contributing to the overall health of Black women. Systemic racism, discrimination, and implicit bias are ingrained within the health care system and have created an inequitable health care experience for Black women in Arkansas and our nation. We spoke with community advocates and experts in the healthcare field as they discussed the impact of healthcare disparities for Black women in their work.

This forum also highlighted potential policy strategies that can lead to a more equitable health experience for Black women within the state. Our hope is that our thoughtful conversation can lead to impactful changes within the various intersecting environments that affect Black women’s health.

Panelists:
Gloria Richard-Davis, MD, Executive Director, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for UAMS
Tracey McElwee, Ph.D., LMSW, Arkansas Community Advocate for Black Women’s Health
Kenya Eddings, MPH, Director of the Arkansas Minority Health Commission

The panel was facilitated by CaSandra Glover, Health Policy Analyst, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.