Most recent public comments by Brianna Charlton https://nowcomment.com/users/105959 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447991 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447991 We thought that this testimony would be particularly powerful to include because for some, this topic may seem out of reach. Its hard to believe that physicians would do something like this, but it effects everyone and the more we learn about it, the better chance we have at fighting back. Mon, 26 Apr 2021 22:40:53 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447985 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447985 The Black-White gap in low birth weight and preterm births was larger in counties high implicit racial prejudice compared to counties with low implicit racial prejudice. These gaps are even larger in counties with high explicit racial prejudice and high racial isolation (Orchard & Price 2017, Mehra et al 2019). These paper illustrated that due to the prejudice present in their community, Black mothers and Black infants are less likely to be properly cared for. Due to the stereotypes that Black women are constantly compared to, they are not able to receive the same healthcare as their White counterparts because if they speak up, they will be deemed as argumentative or be completely ignored in most cases. Mon, 26 Apr 2021 22:37:53 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447977 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447977 Grobman et al. found that Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Asian women all had significantly higher chances of experiences a severe postpartum hemorrhage or peripartum infection than non-Hispanic White women. And the CDC reported that Non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native women experienced higher pregnancy-related mortality ratios (40.8 and 29.7, respectively) than all other racial/ethnic groups. While the direct cause of each death is known, it is likely that many of the deaths of Black women due to the implicit biases of the healthcare physicians. Mon, 26 Apr 2021 22:30:08 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447973 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447973 Jareld et al found that positive stereotypes had the same effect as negative ones. The strong Black woman stereotype in particular is one in which Black women are expected to prioritize others’ needs over her own, resist asking for help, exude strength despite adversities, and suppress her emotions. These stereotypes give Black women superhuman attributes by saying that they must feel for others before they can feel for themselves, and that their pain is not worthy of attention. While these stereotypes are seemingly "positive," when juxtaposed against the negative stereotypes, it creates an unrealistic expectation of Black women. This, in turn, would make them more hesitant to receive medical care because they know that their pain may not be taken seriously. Mon, 26 Apr 2021 22:24:39 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447941 https://nowcomment.com/documents/271378?scroll_to=2447941 Jerald et al. found that for Black women, awareness of negative stereotypes predicted negative health outcomes like depression, anxiety and hostility. Increased health outcomes like this also predicted diminished self care behaviors like seeking medical attention (2017). In a country like America, where it is almost impossible to be ignorant of the stereotypes and racism that comes with your identity, Black mothers face a particularly unique disadvantage due to the intersectionality of their identity. Black women are often labeled as loud, promiscuous, aggressive, beastial, manipulative, etc. and the presence of these stereotypes causes anxiety for all Black women, but particularly Black mothers seeking medical attention. These stereotypes may prohibit Black women from seeking medical attention because they may believe that their physicians implicitly endorse these stereotypes and will not be able to help them. Conversely, if these women are able to overcome the barriers of "what if" negative stereotypes, they are less likely to be assertive with their health in the face of their physician because they dont want to affirm the negative stereotypes. Mon, 26 Apr 2021 22:18:37 -0400