In the news this week, recent events have put a spotlight on the inequities in maternal healthcare. While new evidence shows how COVID-19 has widened racial disparities in maternal health, policy-makers and researchers are also looking at the effect of opioid use and structural racism on maternal outcomes.
7/24, Medscape: Some Women Use Prescription Opioids During Pregnancy
7/23, Contemporary OB/GYN: NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research: Maternal morbidity, pregnancy outcomes and more
7/23, DocWire News: Syndemic Perspectives to Guide Black Maternal Health Research and Prevention During the COVID-19 Pandemic
7/22, CBS: Bill takes aim at racial inequities in maternal, infant mortality
7/22, Forbes: Why Are Black Mothers At More Risk Of Dying?
7/22, Brookings Institute: All in the family: A comprehensive approach to maternal and child health in the opioid crisis
7/22, New Security Beat: Structural Racism and its Impact on Black Maternal Health
Many resources have been compiled to help practices understand the problems of Black Maternal Health, now more important than ever, and next week on July 29, the Medical Society of DC will host an event on the problems of the District's Maternity Care Desert, and how technology can help. Register here for Innovation, Advocacy and Maternal Care:
Bringing New Life to DC's Maternal Care Desert.