If you desire to be a mom one day, your health, both mental and physical, should be your priority. Taking care of your health now, puts you in charge of your future. Your unborn child and future children need you. You are their source.
According to Delaware data, babies born to black mothers are 2.7 times more likely to die before their first birthday than babies born to white mothers.
The health profile of the United States reflects persistent inequities in health, the first state is not immune to those inequalities. But Delaware has a team working to create change. Let your voice join the team. Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of Delaware Division of Public Health, understands systematic improvements need to happen.
— Dr. Rattay, Health Equity Guide 2.0
There are other women patients like you, providers, and community advocates who are using their voices to bring awareness. Listen to these women’s voices who felt unheard and expressed receiving substandard treatment by their physician due to the race norming tendencies in the medical field. Together we can stop this lack of attention by drawing attention to implicit biases, so they can be handled with mindfulness and not assumptions.
Listen to their stories and be inspired to share your story too. Your truth can create change.
Cierra discusses her battle with severe anxiety and talks about her plans to get ahead of her condition before having children. Download Video |
Alisha shares her experience with feeling unheard/unseen by her doctors and how important it is to advocate for yourself. Download Video |
Shyanne and Alisha emphasize the importance of being your own healthcare advocate. Download Video |
Shyanne expresses her frustration with the lack of being heard during the care she received during and after childbirth. Download Video |
Cierra talks about how to be proactive regarding your maternal health. She encourages you to take control and be healthy before planning to have a family someday. You can take charge of your own health. Download Video |
Delaware State Representative Melissa Minor-Brown & Dr. Lee discuss how biases such as racism, social status, and lack of access to quality food, healthcare, & education impact the rates of deaths from poor maternal health. Download Video |
Hear from healthcare providers, patients and Delaware State Representatives, as they discuss the maternal health experiences of black women historically and offer strategies and solutions to improve their quality of care. Download Video |
Black women discuss their health journeys, feelings of being disregarded by their providers & black maternal health related complications during pregnancy and postpartum. Download Video |
You are your biggest advocate. Do your own research, investigate, ask questions, know your options. Start the conversation, talk to your community providers and healthcare providers. As women, black women, we must be proactive.
To maintain optimal health, every year it is important to have a doctor visit. This is your Well Woman visit. It is a time for you to talk about your health concerns with your provider. For many of us this is a FREE visit, covered by most healthcare plans. You can schedule an appointment with your health care provider.
Your provider is your partner in health. As a tip, before your visit, write down any questions or concerns that you have. Want to plan out your Well Woman Visit? Our infographic has topics that are generally covered in an annual visit. It can help you prepare for your visit.
