When asked to reflect on #BlackMaternalHealthWeek Colette Sturgis, Program Director of the Perinatal Infant and Child Health Collaborative (PICHC) & Maternal and Child Health Services, said it best:

🗣“Listen to black women.”

Despite the U.S. being the richest developed country in the world, it also has the biggest wealth gaps and persistent inequity in health care. According to the CDC, in 2021, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 3 times the rate for White women in the U.S.

As Colette explains “People are left to pick between the worst care or no care. In some cases, after childbirth, black women and children don’t ever get to come home.” She explained, “During the pandemic, many were unable to find support, and if it weren’t for Urban Health Plan many women would have been unable to find services provided by people who understood and heard them.”

Colette makes a point of reminding women of color that it’s important for us all to stay educated because “when you improve one section of health, you improve it all for everyone.” Colette’s hope is that all mothers, and mothers-to-be, understand that there are resources and support for them; provided by people who know them, respect who they are, and understand their needs. Through her work, Colette and her team work to empower, with a message for all: “Listen to your body. You know your body best.” 

Urban Health Plan is committed to providing mothers and children the highest quality care before, during, and after childbirth. Working across departments, our team of healthcare professionals work to support mothers during and beyond #BlackMaternalHealthWeek2023. 

The only way we reverse these horrific and unacceptable trends and promote good health outcomes is by encouraging and initiating open conversations between patients & providers and ensuring access to crucial support programs.

For Urban Health Plan services:

Call, Walk-In, or Schedule an appointment online!

📞 718-589-4755

💻www.urbanhealthplan.org

#UHP4HealthierLives