By Dianne Anderson

Why Black women continue to die more than white women during childbirth is not so much the medical mystery that some might believe.

For the most part, health equity is key in the Black-white gap.

“CDC data show that Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, with most of the maternal deaths being preventable. This heightened risk spans all income and education levels. According to the study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, the wealthiest Black woman in California is at a higher risk of maternal mortality than the least wealthy white woman,” reports Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

On April 12, perinatal providers, behavioral healthcare, doulas, birth workers, funders, advocates and policymakers will turn out for the first of a two-day free event focused on improving Black birth outcomes and reducing infant mortality in the Inland Empire. The Inland Empire Perinatal Equity Provider and Community Summit – Provider Day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the IEHP Foundation, 9500 Cleveland Ave in Rancho Cucamonga.

The following day, April 13, the summit continues with free breakfast and lunch, activities for the family, health equity resources, and help for pregnant moms and families to learn ways to protect themselves and their infants. That event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., held at 701 South Mount Vernon Avenue at San Bernardino Valley College.

Jasmine Creighton expects many participants and Black families to come out for support and services for every stage of family planning.

”The more, the merrier, anyone that supports Black birthing families and anyone planning for a family should be there. I’m really hopeful that it will be a successful event,” said Creighton, Program Coordinator of Maternal and Reproductive Health with the California Black Women’s Health Project.

he said the community must be aware because there are many high-profile cases of Black moms having died during childbirth, and even wealthy celebrities have shared the danger of not being taken seriously in facing life threatening situations in the hospital.

“It definitely does not have anything to do predominantly with surrounding income, but it’s an issue with Black women not being heard. That stems from racism and implicit bias,” she said.

CBWH has six ambassadors statewide focused on policy, birthworker collective, nutrition, health and wellness of 1.2 million Black women in California. They also engage in policy change, outreach, and addressing medical mistreatment. The nonprofit is involved in policy advocacy of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act.

Through their outreach, women learn self-advocacy and their rights. They have sister circles and programs to promote mental health advocacy, and also work with many local services to connect families in need with resources, such as the Guaranteed Income pilot program in the Inland Empire.

“We have programs to support birth workers in the community, with doulas, lactation professionals, and midwives. We’re constantly pointing to them to find resources, and we also support families,” she said.

Several of their partners and community-based organizations participate with the Abundant Birth Project, another program that helps offset costs and financial burdens for pregnant moms. The Sankofa Birth Workers Collective is also one of the largest collectives of Black professionals, doulas, midwives, therapists and doctors serving families for both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

“Because it is a community resource and we are about collaboration, we make sure we’re aware of resources that we can provide the community,” she said.

There is much more room for education. Many in the community are not aware of doulas, the benefits of doulas, and how to access one.

“As long as they are covered under Medi-Cal or even under Sankofa Birth Worker Collective, it will be free of cost to them,” she said.

Birth doulas provide nonclinical support with labor management, advocate for mom and their partner, making sure that they know their rights. In the hospital, they make sure that the patient’s wishes are being followed as long as there are no medical complications.

Space for the event is being provided by IEHP insurance, which provides quality healthcare, and specialized programs to help meet the needs of low income communities, and communities of color.

Kanita Bourne, a community and social manager for IEHP, said the event is not just about providing services, but igniting a movement for change and building a future where every family feels supported.

She sees the IE Perinatal Equity Summit as a beacon of hope for the community.

“Through this collaborative effort, we envision a future where African American/Black birthing families receive equitable care, free from the shackles of historical and structural racism,” she said. “As we implement best practices, we’re forging a path towards brighter birth outcomes and stronger mental health support.”

She said the transformative space allows medical providers and residents to come together in culturally affirming spaces and address perinatal disparities, empowering families and people of color to advocate for improved birthing experiences.

“At IEHP, we are committed to improving the lives in our communities. We do so by supplying our providers with the most clinical relevant and culturally sensitive training to ensure they are equipped to provide the best care to this vulnerable population,” she said.

For more information and resources on the free summit, see

https://www.maternalhealthnetworksb.com/pei-summit

https://www.sankofabirthworkers.com/

https://www.cabwhp.org/

Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act

https://blackmaternalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/Momnibus