Community

Be part of the solution of improving the health and legacy of the African-American community in San Diego County by:

• Listening to the stories and experiences of Black moms and dads, particularly when speaking about racism or discrimination they face in health care settings.
  
• Educating yourself on the nuances of systemic racism and its effects on the health of the Black community.
  
• Sharing Know Your Rights with new parents so they are aware of what should be expected in respectful healthcare interactions, and if needed, help file or issue a complaint if they have been mistreated.
  
• Referring expecting and new moms to resources such as the County of San Diego’s Black Infant Health Program.
  
• Providing culturally responsive mental health and well-being support such as Black Mental Wellness website and Instagram, NAMI Resources and Information for Black/African-American Individuals, Black Female Therapists Instagram, and Black Virtual Therapist Network, among others to new and expecting families.

Become an ambassador for racial equity and work to raise awareness and advocate for the changes needed for African-American women and families to have the best birth outcomes.

Join the San Diego Perinatal Equity Initiative’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) and join a network of allies working to promote equity. Learn how to get involved by visiting the Connect page.

Share San Diego’s Black Legacy Now campaign on social media and use your voice to raise awareness on the issue with others.

Print San Diego’s Black Legacy Now posters and place them across organizations in your community to raise awareness on this campaign.

Share articles and readings in your community, and consider hosting viewing events and discussions of documentaries, such as Unnatural Causes, with your network.

Use the following important dates to spread awareness about Black maternal and infant health inequities through social media, community events, and other activities.

• National Minority Health Month (April)
• Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17)
• Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25-31)
• National Infant Mortality Awareness Month (September)
• Prematurity Awareness Month (November)
• World Prematurity Awareness Day (November 17)

Reading:

• For Serena Williams, Childbirth Was a Harrowing Ordeal. She’s Not Alone.
• How Hospitals Are Failing Black Mothers
• Why America’s Black Mothers and Babies are in a Life-or-Death Crisis
• Listening to Black Mothers in California Survey/Issue Brief
• Lost Mothers: Maternal Care and Preventable Deaths
• Why America’s Black Mothers and Babies Are in a Life or Death Crisis
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance Toolkit
• Hospitals Blame Moms When Childbirth Goes Wrong. Secret Data Suggest It’s Not That Simple
• Racism a Strong Factor in Black Women’s High Rate of Premature Births, Study Finds

Watching:

• Unnatural Causes
  
• TEDxEmory: Allegories on Race and Racism (Camara Phyllis Jones)
  
• Why are Black Mothers and Infants Far More Likely to Die in U.S. From Pregnancy-related Causes?
  
• Goalkeepers 2019: Dr. Joia Crear-Perry on Bias in Maternal Health in the United States