Brave Space discussion examines Black maternal, infant health

Nebraska Medicine’s inclusion and diversity office, in collaboration with the African American Black Alliance, RISE and the UNMC Office of Inclusion, raised awareness on the issue of Black maternal and infant health and equity during this month’s Brave Space session.

The hybrid discussion featured a panel of UNMC and Nebraska Medicine medical experts and a screening of the film, “Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story.” The film depicts the reality of a day in the life of a pregnant Black woman. It demonstrated that racial inequities in health care span across all socioeconomic backgrounds.

See a recording of the opening and screening here, with passcode “k2@=8Q2R”

Ada Wilson, JD, Nebraska Medicine’s vice president-chief inclusion and diversity officer, opened the discussion with an analysis of why Black maternal health matters for Nebraska.

Currently, the non-Hispanic Black infant mortality rate for Nebraska is three-times that of non-Hispanic White infants, and the national non-Hispanic Black maternal mortality rate is 2.9 times that of non-Hispanic White women.  

The concept of weathering, social determinants of health and lack of cultural intelligence are the biggest factors impacting Black maternal health.  

The film pointed out that Black mothers commonly report about the dismissal of symptoms, inadequate pre-natal care and daily stressors. Poorly treated pre-existing conditions and a shortage of rural health care also affect the quality of care.

Wilson challenged nurses, administrators and colleagues in attendance with these questions: 

“How can we utilize the wonderful brains in this room, the heart, the passion, to understand and unpack why this is happening, and how we can have a direct impact on sustainable and transformational change?” 

“What do we do? How do we come together as a community? What is our strategy?”

For the latest events and speaking engagements by the inclusion and diversity office and AABA, go to the Nebraska Medicine’s Inclusion and Diversity Channel on the NOW page or check out the UNMC Office of Inclusion’s Engage or Twitter pages.