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Tapestries: Interwoven voices of local and global identities

Abstract

The United States has shockingly high rates of maternal mortality in which Black women bear a disproportionate burden of pregnancy related deaths. In D.C., the nation's capital, Black women account for 90% of pregnancy associated deaths, despite comprising less than half of the population. This disparity is a result of systemic medical racism, geographical barriers, and a lack of available culturally reverent care. Community-based collectives have emerged to fill in the gaps left by the healthcare system by providing essential services to underserved communities, specifically Black women. These organizations have proven the potential of ‘non-traditional’ healthcare models to change the landscape of maternal health both in D.C. and the U.S. By centering care around the specific needs of Black mothers, these collectives have been able to offer more personalized and culturally relevant services, including access to midwives, birth trainings, and mental health support. These initiatives exemplify the power and strength of grassroots efforts in changing health outcomes, providing medical care, education, advocacy, and supporting expecting mothers in any way they may need. This essay will outline the specific historical and systemic factors influencing current maternal mortality rates amongst Black women in D.C. and will demonstrate the efficacy of culturally congruent care as a solution to this crisis.

Author Biography

Beya Hull (she/her), originally from Washington, D.C., is an American Studies major with a concentration in Community and Global Health. She is interested in working in public health, with a specific emphasis on community based healthcare solutions.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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