AHA blog discusses Black maternal health
In an American Hospital Association blog, Crysta Meekins, MPH, a program manager for the AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, discusses takeaways for hospitals to improve Black maternal health. The advice stems from an expert panel discussion she facilitated at the National Association of Health Services Executives Annual Education Conference in Atlanta. Panelists recommended hospitals hold clinicians accountable for providing equitable, patient-centered care to all patients; promote cohesiveness on interdisciplinary care teams; form community partnerships to promote Black maternal health; and employ resources to improve Black maternal health. Resources include the film Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story, depicting the microaggressions Black women face; the AHA’s action steps to improve Black maternal health; and the March of Dimes’ implicit bias training. (AHA blog, 11/9/23)