This session will explain how perinatal health disparities (PHD) disproportionately impact birth outcomes for black women, and harms other populations including people of color, those who identify as LGBTQ, undocumented people, disabled individuals, etc. The workshop will focus on understanding the historical context of systemic racism that leads to PHD as well as how health care provider bias, societal prejudice and discriminatory practices affect the physical and psychosocial well being of marginalized communities. Participants will learn the social determinants of PHD, better understand the cultural nuances of pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, infant and child health, and breastfeeding and how childbirth educators and birth advocates can work towards undoing racism, developing more culturally relevant practices and eliminating perinatal and birth injustice.
