Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy and Maternal Health Disparities During Black History Month
As we celebrate Black History Month, it is crucial to shed light on the intersection of race, maternal health, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As an African American woman with a background in public health, specializing in maternal and child health, this topic holds personal significance for me. Despite medical advances, childbirth remains perilous for Black individuals, with the United States having the highest maternal mortality rate among industrialized nations. Black pregnant people are three times more likely to die during or after childbirth compared to their white counterparts.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing health disparities. Black communities have been disproportionately affected, with Black individuals being 10% more likely to contract the virus and facing higher rates of hospitalization and mortality. For pregnant individuals, the pandemic poses additional risks, with severe symptoms leading to increased ICU admissions and poor pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm births.
Vaccine hesitancy, particularly prevalent in the Black community, further complicates the situation. Historical mistrust in medical research and care, rooted in experiences like the Tuskegee experiment, contributes to this hesitancy. Pregnant individuals also express concerns about the vaccine’s rapid development, safety, and effectiveness. Notably, Black pregnant people have the lowest vaccination rates, with only 26% being vaccinated, compared to 38% among Hispanics.
MotherToBaby can play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by providing evidence-based information and fostering trust within the community. As an independent non-profit organization, we aim to serve all individuals without restrictions. By leveraging social media and collaborating with community-based organizations, including churches, barber shops, and schools, we can combat COVID-19 vaccine misinformation effectively. Our materials must be culturally and ethnically sensitive to resonate with the communities we serve.
During a recent seminar, Dr. Richard Miller emphasized the importance of listening and meeting people where they are. Understanding individuals’ concerns allows us to provide the necessary information to make informed decisions. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction.” At MotherToBaby, we are committed to empowering individuals with truthful information.
For more resources on common exposures during pregnancy, including COVID-19 and the vaccines, visit our online Resource Hub. If you have specific questions, our confidential experts are available at no cost. Let’s work together to ensure the well-being of all individuals during this critical time.
