From Red Wine & Blue: The health crisis that should never have happened

Dr. Janell Green Smith should be enjoying her newborn son right now.

The midwife and women’s health advocate devoted her life to shedding light on the Black maternal health crisis our country is facing. But she died from childbirth complications after giving birth to her own child in January.

Black women experience maternal mortality at three times the rate of white women in the U.S., a serious failure of a health care system that is supposed to protect us.^1,2 And as long as the medical industry continues to be allowed to ignore the plight of Black mothers, all women need to come together to fight back.

Next Tuesday, Red Wine & Blue will be joined by experts to explain this maternal health crisis and the reforms needed to ensure safe pregnancies and births for Black women. Join us to help advocate for better health care for women!

RSVP now for The Reality of Black Maternal Mortality in America on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:30PM ET!

Experts estimate 84% of all deaths after childbirth are preventable with the right care.³

Currently Black women die in childbirth in America more than pregnant people in any other high-income country – nearly 50 times more often than those in Switzerland, and 10 times more than in the U.K.⁴ In fact, Black American maternal mortality rates are comparable to those in North Korea, Honduras, and Grenada.⁵

Black women are also more likely to experience postpartum depression, preterm birth, and poor infant health than white women.⁶

And as with Dr. Smith, it doesn’t matter how much money one has or how much education – Black women are still receiving worse quality healthcare.

A recent example is Serena Williams, the world-famous tennis player who nearly died when her providers ignored signs of a pulmonary embolism after birth. Her doctors refused to provide treatment – even though she had a history of clots and repeatedly asked for help – until it was almost too late.⁷

On Tuesday, we’ll talk about the racist biases, gaps in care, and policies that have been consistently failing Black mothers. And we’ll share ways you can take action to protect maternal health and racial equity!

Sign up now for The Reality of Black Maternal Mortality in America on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:30PM ET!