Black maternal environment in Washington DC
In DC's 7th Ward, mostly black peoplethe level of particulate matter It has the highest percentage because several industrial facilities and a highway bisect the district. Exposure to particulate matter is associated with lower birth weight and increased likelihood of developing asthma later in life.black people 40% more likely to have asthma Black women are 84% more likely to have asthma than black men.
But even in the face of many of these daunting statistics, full-time doulas Samantha Griffin approaches Black maternal health from a place of joy.
“A lot of people are working on this research, especially around maternal mortality, but I'd like to think we should be aiming much higher than just staying alive during childbirth.” said Griffin, founder and CEO. dc metro maternity.
Griffin is A certified birth doula, postpartum doula, and certified childbirth educator, she manages a team of 10 Black women who support birthing people of all types through their birth and postpartum journeys. And for some of her DC-based clients, that may mean battling unexpected environmental problems.
“If you're trying to make milk for your baby, any problems with water quality can be a big problem, because babies don't have a lot of immunity.” said Griffin, who hosts a podcast called .Thoughts of a Black Doula”
Black Maternal and Child Health Week at Howard University
In commemoration of Black Maternal and Child Health Week, the Hall of Undergraduate First-Year Researchers and the College of Engineering and Architecture Freshman Council are organizing the DEAR (Women's Dedication to Support Resources) Organized a Mom Drive. and celebrate Black motherhood by holding caucuses that create change in our communities.Another one in progress Efforts to address the needs and health of local Black mothers mary's center.
The importance of including environmental justice in the maternal health field cannot be overstated when discussing the health of Black birthing mothers. As many statistics show, micro plasticair pollution, pollution, and other hazards put vulnerable populations at alarmingly high risk of pregnancy complications, birth defects, and lifelong health problems.
To gather information from multiple perspectives on maternal health, Quarkume said the team of researchers collaborated with existing community organizations that were already asking many of the same questions as themselves, to solidify their claims. We are committed to providing you with the data you need.
“Human rights issues like Black maternal and child health are multifaceted, which means they require multiple solutions at multiple levels,” Hall said. Combining diverse perspectives in research is necessary to create effective, beneficial, and expansive solutions toward maternal health equity. Collaboration is a catalyst for change. ”
