Black Maternal Mortality

Written By Sahanna Lotus Garam

Recommended Resources:

Mommy Monitor: provides recommendations and connections to support racialized pregnant folks, filling an essential gap for parents-to-be. Resources include, birth plans, free mental health support for Black parents, free doula services for Black parents and a database of Black maternal health professionals

Ocama Collective: a community-directed group of birth workers of colour, living and working in Tkaronto (Toronto), who are dedicated to the reclamation of traditional and holistic childbearing and birthing practices, amongst IBPOC folx.

The Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA): a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance that centers Black mamas and birthing people to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.

Lead Author:

Featured
Dr. Lotus Alphonsus, Co-founder
Dr. Lotus Alphonsus, Co-founder

Lotus is an internal medicine resident at the University of Toronto. She has over a decade experience working with refugees and survivors of sexual assault, torture and human trafficking. She is passionate about trauma informed care, medical education and reducing health disparities.

Mila Alphonsus, Nursing Lead
Mila Alphonsus, Nursing Lead

Born and raised in Toronto, Mila is a registered nurse that has been involved in helping refugee and homeless populations navigate the healthcare system. She is passionate about wound care and community health. With her background in psychology she also works closely with at-risk youth involved with guns, drugs and gangs to help offer positive paths forward.

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality. US Office of Health Equity.

  2. Hoyert DL. Maternal mortality rates in the United States, 2021. NCHS Health E-Stats. 2023. https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:124678

  3. Cortés, Y. I., & Breathett, K. (2021). Addressing inequities in cardiovascular disease and maternal health in black women. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 14(2), e007742.

  4. Creanga, A. A., Berg, C. J., Syverson, C., Seed, K., Bruce, F. C., & Callaghan, W. M. (2015). Pregnancy-related mortality in the United States, 2006–2010. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 125(1), 5-12.

  5. Hameed, Afshan B., et al. "Pregnancy-related cardiovascular deaths in California: beyond peripartum cardiomyopathy." American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 213.3 (2015): 379-e1.


Sahanna Lotus Garam
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