The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations, with Black women experiencing more maternal complications and deaths. Black women are three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.
A new APHA Press book explores why reproductive health for Black women is a problem in the U.S., and discusses emerging best practices based on public health approaches.
In “Black Women’s Reproductive Health and Sexuality: A Holistic Public Health Approach,” leading experts offer a historical context for racist oppression and explain how myths about Black women developed in media and society. They also discuss why a systems approach is needed to address inequities, and offer holistic and multi-layered strategies to improve health and well-being.
Part of APHA’s health equity series, the book considers the multiple social and institutional factors that contribute to ongoing disparities, and explains how structural racism creates social, economic, educational and financial barriers for Black women, leading to health inequities.
“The point of the book was really to lift up the nuances around the health outcomes that Black women face with regard to reproductive health and sexuality, but also to provide the science behind it,” said Regina Davis Moss, PhD, MPH, editor of the volume and president and CEO of In Our Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda.
Negative stereotypes about Black women are common in America and are used to de-humanize them, Moss said. The myths date back to slavery, when landowners viewed Black women as property and baby-makers to supply more enslaved labor.
“In our health outcomes, but also in the day-to-day of trying to navigate all of this, are assaults on our existence,” Moss told The Nation’s Health.
Overlooked in history have been the many contributions Black women have made to the country, including to social justice, she said.
That encompasses being at the forefront of voting rights and the civil rights and feminist movements, as well as coining phrases such as reproductive justice and “me too” years before they became part of the mainstream.
“We’ve always been involved in a lot of the movements but don’t always get the credit,” Moss said. “But we’re still going to be moving toward our goal.”
Broken into four sections, the book shares multi-layered approaches to reproductive and sexual health for Black women.
Among the strategies and methods in section four, “Re-Centering Health and Well-Being,” are articles on community-based doulas and midwives, wellness for girls and young women, culturally affirming sexuality education, effective social services and trauma responsive care.
“We have the highest maternal mortality rates,” Moss said. “We know how to prevent them. We know what to do. So why aren’t we?”
For more information on “Black Women’s Reproductive Health and Sexuality: A Holistic Public Health Approach,” and to learn about other books in APHA’s health equity series, visit www.aphabookstore.org.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association
