Happy Mothers Day

While raising my five children, my health never really caught my attention—only when something broke down did it actually matter. Being healthy while being a mom was tough. Motherhood comes with so much responsibility and the constant giving of yourself that often, you don't even think about your own health. With five kids, there are days when you barely exist beyond making your family a priority, and your own health never comes into consideration.

Addressing Disparities in Black Maternal Healthcare

The resources and the gaps needed in the industry are significant, especially when discussing Black maternal health. There’s a pronounced disparity in childbirth outcomes. For instance, African American women are more likely to experience higher mortality rates during childbirth than their Caucasian counterparts—and it's not just about numbers.

Reflecting on motherhood as an African American woman, it's essential to acknowledge how much Black women have contributed to the nurturing and health sectors, often serving as midwives and caretakers throughout history. Yet, despite these contributions, we still face stark disparities at the end of the day. For example, African American women are less likely to develop breast cancer compared to Caucasian women, but they are more likely to die from it. This fact alone highlights the severity of health disparities.

The childbirth mortality rate is alarmingly high, and this issue weighs heavily on every system of assessment that I consider, including the respiratory system. African American women often face a greater burden of systemic and lung diseases compared to their Caucasian counterparts.

As African American women, we are marked from the start, but becoming aware of these issues is the first step toward change. Understanding and learning about these disparities is crucial. With Mother's Day spending and awareness increasing, it's time we focus more on these critical health issues affecting Black maternal health.

By raising awareness and advocating for better resources and support, we can begin to close these gaps and ensure a healthier future for all mothers.