Within our country, there is a pattern of health factors and terms that are often used when explaining the lifestyle that many people of color have to endure. However, it is extremely difficult to fully understand the amount of health issues that women, especially women of color, potentially face.
One issue that has been prominent and still remains a widespread problem in communities of color across the nation – maternal health.
For those who do not know, maternal health generally refers to the physical, emotional, and mental health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and after giving birth. This has been a topic that has been studied and evaluated throughout the years, giving enhanced information regarding maternal health.
Per the CDC and California State Data, “California has achieved a much lower rate of such deaths than the U.S., but maternal mortality resurged in recent years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, state data show.”
Related Stories
Costco is Coming to South Los Angeles
Black Caucus Members Weigh Next Steps for Reparations in California
This may seem like great news for the state, but the city of Los Angeles has seen rather different results when it comes to maternal health.
Health researchers have identified that the crisis has been especially stark among Black women, who have faced a maternal mortality rate more than three times that of white women in California. In L.A., specifically Los Angeles County, there has been a public cry for help in recent years over the deaths of women as the number stays relatively the same since the pandemic.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the best way to raise awareness is to: “Listen to women and their family members’ concerns before, during, and after delivery, engage the family in creating a supportive environment, discuss and make available options for traditional practices that may vary by culture and personal preferences, educate about warning signs during pregnancy and the postpartum period, use culturally acceptable and easily understandable methods of communication, and link women with a substance use disorder to family-centered treatment approaches.
The campaign to improve maternal health is underway to protect women, especially women of color.
For more information, visit cdc.gov or contact your local doctor.
