Maternal Health Equity Report with MEASURE
MEASURE and the Maternal Health Equity Collaborative developed a survey to assess the unique needs of pregnant people during COVID-19, specifically Black women and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) families. This survey helped to gather lived-experience data from BIPOC mothers’ lived experiences in Central Texas.
Additionally, the group created a timeline of historical racism that contributes to the high rates of poor health outcomes and maternal mortality for Black and Brown mothers, who are more likely to experience barriers in receiving quality care.
Key Data Insights:
Overt racism is still prevalent. BIPOC Experience micro-aggressions throughout their birthing experience. This can lead to a change of behavior, such as switching doctors.
Additionally, this racism leads to isolation and lack of support within the healthcare. experience. BIPOC respondents reported being ignored, having to repeat themselves, etc.
Moms report increased anxiety and isolation among respondents due to COVID-19, and these feelings are coupled with the racism, micro-aggressions, and lack of control over healthcare intensifies these feelings for BIPOC moms.
Responding BIPOC mothers say their pain is glossed over. Historically, healthcare professionals erroneously attributed Black mothers with a higher tolerance for pain and led many providers to deny or offer less pain medication for Black women. This survey signifies that BIPOC mothers still face this discrimination today.
View the full report to see more insights, numbers, and implications of this survey.
If you would like a copy of the Historical Timeline included in the report, in a large format, to hang at your office or place of work, please contact us at mhecatx@gmail.com.