Our Immediate Ask:

BELIEVE BLACK WOMEN when they speak up about issues concerning their health and well-being.

As Black female physicians, we’ve seen, heard, and studied how dismissed and ignored issues have lead to preventable irreversible complications and death of Black mothers, regardless of socioeconomic status. We urge our healthcare community to address the racism and biases within their hospitals, practices, staff, and themselves.

Why “Believe Black Women ™”?

Because their lives depend on it.

4th

NEW JERSEY’S RANK IN DEADLIEST STATES FOR A MOTHER TO GIVE BIRTH.

In 2019, New Jersey was listed as the 2nd richest state in the nation. However, our maternal health outcomes and disparities are among the worst in the country.

60%

OF ALL PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS IN NJ ARE OF WOMEN OF COLOR, WHILE MAKING UP ONLY 13.7% OF THE POPULATION.

When communities don’t understand the healthcare system and are not engaged, the results have a generational impact. Women of childbearing age have significantly higher levels of chronic illness such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Access to quality, culturally-sensitive healthcare is key to engagement in preventive care.

5x

THE RATE BLACK WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATH IN COMPARISON TO WHITE WOMEN IN NJ.

(The national average is 3x)

When we look at Black maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, socioeconomic factors are generally irrelevant but rather these health disparities are impacted through systemic racism and bias. With Black people at a higher risk of death from COVID-19 and its complications, the pandemic has only exposed the socio-demographic disparities that have already existed in America.

Did you know?… in a study by the Society for a Maternal Fetal Medicine found that 84% of physicians agreed that disparities impacted their practice. Yet, only 29% of them believed personal biases affected how they cared for patients.

Our Action.

With a history of distrust of the healthcare system within the Black community, due to unethical care and continued systemic racism, it is essential that information is given to these communities by physicians and leaders they trust.

Community Resources

We're donating Maternity Packets to mothers in need and their growing families. Each packet comes with:

4 ”NJ Sews in Unity” Cloth washable masks
Surgical Hand sanitizer
Vitamin C sample pack
Hydrating powder solution
COVID Informational Pamphlet
Their own “Believe Black Women.” Tote

Peer-to-Peer Resources

Our executive team and members use their expertise to speak on panels, give lectures to faculty, learners and staff within health systems and organizations throughout NJ. Previous topics have included:

The Reality of Being a Black Female Physician
Anti-Racism Education
Delivering While Black

Advocacy

Throughout the pandemic we’ve been advocating directly with NJ state and local government officials to ensure:

Full transparent data reflecting race impact

Improved access to testing and vaccinations in communities of color
Advocacy for free testing and vaccinations
Advocacy for vaccination education outreach
Improved telemedicine platforms
Availability of medical equipment to allow virtual visits, including but not limited to:
- blood pressure monitors
- thermometers
- fetal dopplers
- pulse ox for oxygen saturation
- urine dipsticks

Education

At the on-set of COVID-19, we found that 1 out of 8 pregnant women were asymptomatic carriers of the virus. Starting in Newark’s University Hospital, all Labor and Delivery patients are being educated on recommendations around prevention, testing, in-home quarantine and isolation and general wellness by healthcare workers. Newark obstetrical outpatient and inpatient units are utilizing information designed and produced by NJBWPA.

We’ve also developed a COVID-19 informational booklet (supplied in our Maternity Packets) in collaboration with Planned Parenthood. Through partnering with obstetrical clinics, we’re distributing them in the counties with the highest infection rate (predominantly in Bergen, Essex, and Hudson counties).

Support Today!

FOR EACH PURCHASE, A “BELIEVE BLACK WOMEN ™ ” TOTE IS DONATED TO MOTHERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN NEW JERSEY. IN EACH TOTE DONATED IS A MATERNITY PACKET WITH MUCH-NEEDED SUPPLIES AND EDUCATION. TOGETHER WE CAN KEEP OUR GROWING COMMUNITIES SAFE AND STRONG!