Description
The Building Equitable Linkages with Interprofessional Education Valuing Everyone (BELIEVE) team is working with birthing people and healthcare workers to make them and their systems safer and build trust between pregnant people and healthcare workers. The BELIEVE team wants to understand how these complicated problems in the health system harm pregnant people and how healthcare workers can help fix them. The goal of their work is to make the healthcare system better so that every birthing person and healthcare worker is treated with respect and care. The BELIEVE team is committed to collaboration among all disciplines in maternal health care because it leads to improved outcomes for mothers and infants, including reduced rates of postpartum complications and increased rates of starting and continuing breastfeeding.
To learn more about Black maternal health and the importance of advancing healthcare practices, The Heart Truth® connected with Kimberly Harper, perinatal/neonatal outreach coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) School of Medicine’s Center for Maternal and Infant Health, and Janiya Mitnaul Williams, program director of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s (NC A&T) Human Lactation Program.
Why is Black maternal health important?
Black maternal health is critical because it addresses a glaring disparity: the stark differences in maternal and infant mortality rates among Black women compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. These discrepancies are deeply rooted in systemic racism and social determinants of health, which create significant barriers to accessing equitable and quality health care.
By tackling these disparities, we not only enhance the well-being of Black mothers, but also ensure better health outcomes for all mothers because when the most marginalized members of society receive the support they need, it benefits everyone.
What should Black women know about their heart health and how it can impact their pregnancy?
Black women should be aware of the significant disparities they face in cardiovascular health during pregnancy, including higher risks of mortality, heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, and cardiomyopathy. Proactive monitoring and management of cardiovascular health before, during, and after pregnancy, in collaboration with healthcare providers, can help mitigate these risks and improve maternal outcomes.
What three actions can women take to protect their heart health before, during, and after pregnancy?
- Embrace a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support heart health and reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular complications.
- Attend routine prenatal appointments and communicate openly with healthcare providers about any existing health concerns to ensure timely monitoring and management of potential risks.
- Acknowledge that you hold expertise regarding your body and proactively engage in conversations with healthcare providers to advocate for personalized care strategies aimed at preventing heart-related complications.
How does BELIEVE work to improve systemic and structural problems that may cause maternal and fetal mortality?
BELIEVE is a curriculum that focuses on improving communication between healthcare team members and birthing people. Increasing bidirectional communication that is clear and transparent creates an environment that allows for autonomy and shared decision-making. High-quality shared decision-making leads to better outcomes, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity.
Can you share any activities you have planned for National High Blood Pressure Education Month and National Women’s Health Week?
Our team will be highlighting Maternal Warning Signs, Know Your Numbers, and Educational Reels that we have found helpful for pregnant and postpartum people.
Are there resources from The Heart Truth that you have found useful in your education and outreach efforts?
The Know Your Numbers resources are great tools in our outreach efforts. We’ve found that a lot of people don’t know their numbers or how to take their blood pressure. Sharing this information builds confidence and helps people to proactively take care of themselves.
Links to additional resources
- The Heart Truth
- High Blood Pressure Education Month Outreach Toolkit
- Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure
- Pregnancy and Your Heart Health Fact Sheet
- Know the urgent maternal health warning signs – find flyers, videos, and graphics to know what to look for and what to do.
