Reference no: EM133375319
The article "Black Mothers Keep Dying After Giving Birth. Shalon Irving's Story Explains Why" tells the story of Shalon Irving, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who died three weeks after giving birth to her daughter. Her story is tragically common among black mothers, and the article explains how racial bias in healthcare - along with a lack of access to quality healthcare - contributed to her death. Shalon's doctors dismissed her concerns and symptoms, failing to diagnose and treat her postpartum preeclampsia, and her death is an example of the ways in which racial bias and discrimination can lead to disastrous consequences.
The second article, "Maternal and Child Health Disparities and Racial/Ethnic Bias" by Mary A. Ott, examines the evidence of racial disparities in maternal and child health outcomes, and the ways in which racial bias in healthcare perpetuates these disparities. The article notes that black women are more likely to receive substandard care during pregnancy and childbirth, and that this care is often characterized by disrespectful treatment, inadequate communication, and a lack of attention to patient preferences. This article highlights the need for healthcare professionals to be aware of their own biases and to provide respectful, patient-centered care to all patients.
The third article, "Structural Racism and Supporting Black Lives - The Role of Health Professionals" by Rachel R. Hardeman, Eduardo M. Medina, and Ana V. Diez Roux, emphasizes the role of healthcare professionals in addressing racial bias and promoting health equity for black patients. The article argues that healthcare professionals must acknowledge the role of systemic racism in healthcare, and actively work to combat it through anti-racist policies and practices. This article underscores the need for healthcare professionals to be aware of their own biases and to provide respectful, patient-centered care to all patients.
In conclusion, it is clear that addressing racial bias in healthcare is essential to improving black maternal health outcomes in America. Healthcare professionals must be educated on the ways in which racism affects healthcare delivery, and must work to overcome their own biases and provide respectful, patient-centered care to all patients. In addition, policy changes are needed to address the systemic factors that contribute to healthcare disparities, such as inadequate access to quality healthcare, housing, and food. Finally, addressing racial disparities in maternal health requires a larger societal commitment to racial justice and health equity. Only by addressing the systemic racism that contributes to healthcare disparities can we truly improve the health of black mothers and their babies.
Black maternal health is a serious issue in America, and it deserves immediate attention. The articles discussed here demonstrate that addressing racial bias in healthcare is essential to improving outcomes for black pregnant women and mothers. Healthcare professionals must be educated on the ways in which racism affects healthcare delivery, and must work to overcome their own biases and provide respectful, patient-centered care to all patients. In addition, policy changes are needed to address the systemic factors that contribute to healthcare disparities. Finally, addressing racial disparities in maternal health requires a larger societal commitment to racial justice and health equity. Only by addressing the systemic racism that contributes to healthcare disparities can we truly improve the health of black mothers and their babies.
Black maternal health is a serious issue that deserves immediate attention, and addressing racial bias in healthcare is an essential step in improving outcomes for black pregnant women and mothers. Healthcare professionals must be educated on the ways in which racism affects healthcare delivery, and must work to overcome their own biases and provide respectful, patient-centered care to all patients. In addition, policy changes are needed to address the systemic factors that contribute to healthcare disparities. Finally, addressing racial disparities in maternal health requires a larger societal commitment to racial justice and health equity. Only by addressing the systemic racism that contributes to healthcare disparities can we truly improve the health of black mothers and their babies.