In the lead-up to the US election (happening in about two weeks) reproductive health advocates are shining a light on the health challenges faced by Black women. These issues which include higher rates of maternal mortality and certain cancers‚ have become a key focus in the campaign.
Kamala Harris the Democratic vice presidential candidate‚ has put abortion rights at the forefront of her campaign. Sheʼs also been vocal about Black maternal health: a topic that carries both political opportunities and risks.
Black women in the US face a maternal mortality rate thats three times higher than white women according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This disparity is attributed to factors like cardiovascular disease‚ hypertension structural racism and lack of access to quality healthcare.
Georgia‚ where Black people make up 31% of the population has the eighth highest maternal mortality rate in the country. The state also has strict abortion restrictions‚ which were put in place about two years ago.
Advocates are using various strategies to mobilize voters around these issues. In Our Own Voice‚ a national coalition has spent $2 million on ads billboards and mailers about abortion access and reproductive health in 12 states. Theyʼve made over a million voter contacts targeting young voters‚ the LGBTQ community and low-propensity voters.
Black maternal health and reproductive health has to be a conversation that I hear from any candidate for me to be on board to vote for them
The landscape for reproductive health for Black women has become more challenging in recent years. Abortion restrictions have made it harder for Black women to access emergency care in cases of failing pregnancies or complications from medical abortions.
While the economy remains a top priority for many voters‚ advocates hope that by raising awareness about these health inequities‚ they can influence the election outcome and push for meaningful change in healthcare policies affecting Black women