Editor's Letter
Issue No. 4: Black Maternal Health
My big sister, my mom, and me on Easter Sunday
I am a proud descendant of generations of strong Black mothers who made a way when there wasn’t one. I come from a long line of single Black women who worked tirelessly to provide a better future for us little Black girls with big dreams. I am tied to the legacy of a tribe that raised me and died for me to be successful in this life. This issue is for you.
In these pages, we honor Black caregivers in their many manifestations. We honor the Black people who have carried, nurtured, and fought for the continuation of Black existence in this country and in this world. Through unbiased health information, our team has worked diligently to provide a guide for Black people looking to navigate the healthcare system in the United States as they build their families. Our hopes are to lessen the obstacles that Black women face by providing tools for personal advocacy combined with the stories and journeys that illuminate Black motherhood.
Our decision to cover Black Maternal Health was inevitable. In New York State alone, Black women are 12 times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women. In the U.S., the risk of pregnancy-related deaths for Black women is 3 to 4 times higher than that of white women. For centuries, our institutions have perpetuated an inequality of care that has resulted in the loss of Black lives. It’s important to us that we join others in the work of educating ourselves, and of spreading accurate information as thoughtfully and efficiently as possible. For many Black women, this information is pivotal to their families’ survival.
We look to our community and health leaders of yesterday and today for guidance in creating better outcomes in Black Maternal Health thus far, and we thank them for their advocacy and support. We pledge to work alongside you and support your efforts by any means necessary through this platform. We are our readers, we are our community, and we are here.
Attia
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
