Weathering the Storm of Black Maternal Mortality
In 1992, Dr. Geronimus coined the term “weathering” to describe the “health deterioration in early adulthood as a physical consequence of cumulative socioeconomic disadvantage” of Black women. Today, the concept remains little understood and contributes to poor health outcomes for Black mothers, who are 3X more likely to die in childbirth than White or Hispanic women. Four women have come together to tackle this health inequity. A prominent Black doula shares her experiences from the frontlines. A poet expresses the lived experiences of Black women across the maternal journey through inspiring verse. A doctor explores the opportunity for impactful interventions designed to improve Black maternal experiences and health outcomes. An advocate connects these women to take on weathering.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.
Dania Alarcon, Ph.D.
Wunderman Thompson Health
Denise Bolds, MSW, Adv.CD (DONA), CLC, CBE
Bold Selah, LLC
Kecia Gaither, MD MPH MS MBA FACOG FAIUM
NYC Health+ Hospitals/Lincoln, Cornell Weill Medicine
Yvette Perry, Ph.D.
The Good Listening Project