By Tihut Tamrat, Voice & Viewpoint Staff
On December 3rd, from 11am to 1pm Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson, State Senator ; Courtney Christian, Deputy Vice President of Policy and Research(PhRMA); Dr. Crystal Cené, Chief Administrative Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer for Health Equity at UC San Diego Health; and Semise Daley, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Adjunct Professor and current doctoral candidate of Azusa Pacific University’s School of Nursing MP program, got to the heart of the matter in advancing Black maternal wellness, acknowledging that the maternal health challenges for Black women are significantly disproportionate. Added elements such as chronic stress, limited access to preventative care, and inadequate postpartum follow-up intensify these risks during pregnancy and motherhood, contributing to a nearly three times more likely maternal mortality rate.
Dr. Cené delved into the underlying issue of the elevated statistics of declining health when it comes to Black women: racism. “Racism is a system, not a character flaw or personal failing that hurts all of us and that is embedded deep within our policies. This is what is contributing to the disproportionately higher rates of cardiovascular disease.”All four speakers suggested that by prioritizing maternal health, addressing chronic disease, and confronting the systemic barriers that shape outcomes, the healthcare system can start to build a future where every mother has the care, support, and dignity she deserves. Stay tuned for the full article in the coming week at www.sdvoice.info.
