“The Terrifying Threat To Pregnant Black Women & Their Babies” — Refinery29, 2019, 16:14 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVlmYtc3m_I

This video examines the intersections of race and gender inequality in hospital delivery rooms. It explores why there are higher rates of both mother and infant mortality in communities of color. We see how racial biases adversely impact the care pregnant black women receive, and how racism is a long term stress that can lead to poor health outcomes. We also learn the history of how racism impacted our understanding of patient needs where (white) doctors traditionally assumed people of color experienced less pain. This stems back to the time of slavery where it was common to use slaves in medical experiments. Unfortunately, this theme of using marginalized communities for deleterious medical research continues through our present era.

What are some possible solutions to this issue? The history of black midwives is briefly explored as an alternative to biomedicalized deliveries, but transformations are also needed within traditional health care settings.

From the video’s description: On this episode of Shady, our host Danielle Cadet is looking to get to the bottom of the Black maternal and infant mortality rate in America. She consults experts and well as those affected by this nation-wide crisis. Watch Shady to get a better understanding of what needs to change.