Fox News articles are now available in audio format, allowing audiences to listen to the news instead of just reading it. The United States is known for its wealth and military power, but unfortunately, it also leads the world in mass incarceration, gun deaths, and an alarming rate of maternal morbidity and infant mortality.
The recent death of Olympic champion Tori Bowie in Florida due to childbirth complications highlights the stark reality that many Black women face when pregnant in America. Despite being in peak health, Bowie tragically lost her life, emphasizing the risks and pain that Black women disproportionately experience during pregnancy.
As a husband and father, I have personally experienced the fear and uncertainty of complications during childbirth. Whether it was my wife dealing with preeclampsia or an emergency C-section, the anxiety of hoping for the well-being of both mother and baby still haunts me to this day.
While I appreciate the joy of celebrating Father’s Day with my wife and children, I cannot ignore the state of emergency that Black women face. Maternal health is not solely a women’s issue – it is a father’s issue too. It is our collective responsibility to ensure a safe birthing experience for women, particularly Black women.
The statistics speak for themselves. The maternal mortality rate for Black women in the United States is alarmingly high compared to other countries. In Texas, where Black women face a higher risk of complications, 90% of maternal deaths were preventable. Even in my home state of New York, Black women account for more than half of all maternal deaths, despite giving birth to less than a quarter of NYC babies.
Poverty and geographical factors certainly exacerbate the risks, but the underlying issue is systemic racism within the healthcare system that puts Black women’s lives in danger. Even wealthy and physically fit women like Tori Bowie, Allyson Felix, Serena Williams, and Beyoncé have faced skepticism and dismissive treatment from medical professionals during their childbirth experiences. The lack of empathy and humanity is unimaginable.
It is essential to acknowledge that inadequate obstetric care affects all women, regardless of race. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, even when race is not factored into the equation. With all our resources and advancements in medical technology, it is unfathomable why we still fail to prevent these deaths. It is clear that we do not value women’s lives enough in this nation, and Black individuals suffer the most from this systemic failure.
We must reject the notion that childbirth should be a death sentence. As a nation as resourceful as the United States, we have the ability to reimagine and redesign our healthcare system. Passing Representative Lauren Underwood’s Momnibus bill is a crucial step in extending prenatal and postpartum care to marginalized women. We also need to increase the representation of Black women in obstetric care professions and elevate their expertise.
Investing in accessible birthing centers and obstetric care facilities, particularly in rural areas, is necessary to reduce the barriers to quality care. Additionally, the implementation of universal healthcare will ensure that no mother has to choose between their health and financial stability.
Furthermore, supporting new mothers and families extends beyond the delivery room. We must guarantee parental leave, provide universal childcare, and offer expanded support for parents during and after pregnancy. These measures will create an environment where women can thrive as mothers and give their children the best possible start in life.
As a man, I may never fully understand the physical and emotional journey of childbirth. However, as a Black man and father, it is my duty to listen to and elevate the experiences of Black women. The crisis of maternal mortality is not something that Black women should bear alone; it is a shared responsibility for all men – fathers, partners, brothers – and ultimately, all human beings.
Maternal deaths pose a threat to all of us – our partners, our children, and our families. We cannot allow preventable complications during childbirth to break families apart. We must honor the memory of women like Tori Bowie and commit to fighting for the end of the maternal mortality crisis. As a representative of New York’s 16th District, I stand with the women in my community and pledge to keep advocating for change.
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