Tramaine EL-Amin

While today is the last day of Black Maternal Health Week, it doesn't mean that we shouldn't forget that adverse maternal and birth outcomes continue to exist in our country. I stand with Black Mamas Matter Alliance and agree that the time is NOW to demand comprehensive public and private insurance for maternal, sexual, and reproductive health care; improving access to care across geographies and birth settings; issuing guidance to health care providers, institutions, insurance companies, and related entities on providing equitable, high-quality, patient-centered care; and funding research and programs that center and utilize scholarship of Black women and birthing people. So that we can ensure that all women and birthing people thrive. https://lnkd.in/enqcxZKa #BMWH24 #maternalhealth #healthdisparities #publichealth

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During #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, it's essential to shed light on the complex factors contributing to the current state of Black maternal health in the U.S. A recent issue brief by the National Partnership for Women and Families examines the interplay of systemic racism, discrimination in healthcare, and economic inequities that lead to disparate maternal health outcomes for Black women. Economic inequities, in particular, have a significant impact on Black maternal health. Studies show that Black women face wealth and income gaps, which can negatively affect their health outcomes. They also report that adults in communities of color, especially Black adults, are more likely to have medical debt reported to collections. Rivia Health recognizes the importance of addressing economic barriers to maternal healthcare. We ensure women have access to zero-interest, credit-risk-free financing, preventing them from being sent to collections or resorting to financing healthcare payments with credit card debt. Our platform makes it easier for patients to become aware of, understand, manage, and pay their bills, empowering them to take control of their financial health during this critical time. Through our work, Rivia Health aims to reduce disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women by addressing the economic challenges they face. We believe that all mothers deserve access to quality healthcare without compromising their financial stability. To learn more about the factors influencing Black maternal health and the importance of a multifaceted approach to addressing this issue, we encourage you to read the full issue brief by the National Partnership for Women and Families. https://lnkd.in/ghKN8dC2

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You don't need me to remind you that we are in the midst of a mental health crisis. Recent guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), however, gives me cause for hope. Here's what they'll do for us: 1.) Schools can now receive higher reimbursement rates for mental health services provided. 2.) We now have easier methods for billing and claiming practices. 3.) Medicaid agencies and schools will partner to expand the use of the 988 hotline for students experiencing mental health crises. And most exciting: CMS has opened applications for state-level grants totaling $50 million to help expand school-based services across the country. #Medicaid #StudentWellness #MentalHealth

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𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐀 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 Health equity is more than a goal—it's a shared responsibility that requires collective action, commitment, and accountability. Recently, Caretha Coleman, chairwoman of the Black Directors Health Equity Agenda, shared some profound insights on this topic. Her words highlight the critical role of accountability in advancing health equity and the importance of diverse leadership in driving these efforts forward. "𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯? 𝘗𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴. 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭𝘴, 𝘦𝘵𝘤. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺." This powerful statement by Coleman underscores the necessity for organizations to back their commitment to #healthequity with concrete actions and measurable goals. It’s a call to all of us to ensure our efforts are not just well-intentioned but also effective and accountable. At Archo Advocacy, LLC , we believe in fostering an environment where advocacy is not only empowered but also impactful. Our mission is to support advocates in their essential work, ensuring they drive meaningful change where it's needed most in our communities. Together, we can build a more equitable healthcare system that truly serves everyone. Let’s continue this conversation and take the necessary actions to turn our shared vision into a reality. #Advocacy #Accountability #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareInnovation

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Black women may perceive healthcare providers as not understanding, valuing or respecting their culture, values, and beliefs. Which can lead to feelings of mistrust and apprehension when seeking medical care. Research indicates that implicit bias among healthcare providers leads to racial disparities, influencing their unconscious actions and impacting behaviors such as undertreating pain, overlooking diagnoses, and fostering ineffective communication with Black patients. During #BlackMaternalHealthWeek we want to shine a light on this issue in our society. All women should feel safe when speaking to a healthcare provider. 

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Does your health plan cover doula and midwifery services? Research indicates that the answer is "probably not". Yet data show that health outcomes, especially for women of color, are significantly improved when pre- and post-natal care is provided by doulas and midwives. Improved health outcomes benefit employees. Improved health outcomes also benefit employers through reduced health care costs. This is a win-win for all. Does your #ESHP cover #doulabenefits and #midwiferybenefits? RMH Compass evaluates doula and midwife benefits in our performance framework. Visit our site to learn more about this and other important #reproductive and #maternalhealth benefits.

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Alongside many community members and organizations, we were proud to submit a public comment last year supporting the addition of a distinct Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) ethnic category and other updates that would allow for more specific reporting across race/ethnic categories in the U.S. Census and other federal data collection vehicles. These changes have been made official and are important because accurate data collection, disaggregation, and reporting are central to understanding and meeting community needs. More specifically, accurate and detailed public data about our local residents will help us serve our region better for many generations to come. As our partners at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy state, "What this means for communities nationwide is a monumental step forward in visibility and the actionability of public data for more inclusive outcomes." Learn more about these federal data collection updates: https://lnkd.in/gnH9YctR [Link preview description: A Muslim individual wearing a green hijab and glasses sitting at a desk and typing on a white laptop.] #MENA #USCensus #DataCollection #Advocacy #CommunityFoundation #DiversityEquityInclusion

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In Michigan and across the nation, there is a Black maternal healthcare crisis that deserves urgent attention. Black mothers continue to face disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, and it shouldn’t be that way. This #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, we’re amplifying the work of our nonprofit partners Mothering Justice and Birth Detroit , who work in our region to close the gap by providing Black women access to the quality health care they deserve. We encourage you to support these organizations and lend your voice to advocate for a more equitable healthcare system. https://lnkd.in/gQbiQVri

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🖤 This #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, we at Prevent Child Abuse America stand in solidarity with the movement to address the critical maternal health crisis impacting Black mothers in the U.S. #BMHW24 📈 Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are the highest they've been since 1965, with Black mothers facing mortality rates three times that of white mothers. This is more than a crisis—it's a loud call for change. 🌟 Inspired by our Theory of Change, we believe in transformative action that centers families and prioritizes equity. Our vision is a world where every family thrives in a society that ensures equitable access to the resources they need—before, during, and after childbirth. 🤝 By collaborating with healthcare providers, community leaders, and families themselves, we can implement evidence-based and family-centered strategies that address these disparities head-on. 🔗 Let’s work together to reduce preventable maternal deaths and close the racial inequality gap in maternal health outcomes. Join us in advocating for policies and practices that make maternal health equity a reality. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ehYr8bpt #PreventChildAbuse #MaternalHealth #HealthEquity #FamilyCenteredCare #SocialChange

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It's so important that we address these disparities in maternal health. Learn more about #BlackMaternalHealthWeek by following the link!

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These actions are critical to breakdown the significant barriers that our minority women face. We need health equity to improve maternal mortality rates and diminish these health disparities. #Healthequity, #DEI, #maternityequity #minorityhealthmonth

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On this Juneteenth, PATH reflects on the significance of freedom, equity, and health for all. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, symbolizing the ongoing fight for justice and equality. As a global health organization, we recognize that these principles are integral to our mission of improving health outcomes worldwide. At PATH, we are committed to addressing health disparities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The legacy of systemic inequality and racism extends beyond borders, impacting health and well-being across the globe. On this day, we reaffirm our dedication to: Equitable Healthcare Access: Ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to quality healthcare. Inclusive Innovation: Developing and implementing health solutions that consider the unique needs and challenges of diverse populations. Community Empowerment: Partnering with local communities to build resilient health systems and promote sustainable health practices. Juneteenth is a reminder that our work is far from over. As we celebrate this historic day, we also renew our commitment to creating a world where health equity is a reality for everyone. Together, we can advance health, unlock potential, and create lasting change. #Juneteenth #HealthEquity #GlobalHealth #PATH https://lnkd.in/guqKawaS

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Today is Policy Day of Black Maternal Health Week, so let’s talk about a few policies we should implement to improve maternal health care for Black pregnant people. Here’s a to-do list for policymakers on this year’s BMHW: ✔️ Expand Medicaid to 12 months postpartum in all 50 states: Dr. Jessica Pineda of Brown University found that “Black mothers are twice as likely to experience maternal mental health conditions but half as likely to receive treatment compared to White mothers.” Expanding Medicaid could help expand access to vital mental health services for conditions like postpartum depression. ✔️ Expand Medicaid to cover doula and midwife care: OB-GYN Dr. Dawn Owens Robinson said “Doulas save lives,” and the data proves it. Doulas help reduce disparities in Black maternal health care, and shouldn’t just be a privilege for the wealthy. ✔️ Protect reproductive rights: Black women living in states where abortion access is restricted face disproportionate risks from unintended pregnancies. Access to the full spectrum of reproductive care is important for maternal health overall.

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As we dive into Black Maternal Health Week, we are spotlighting the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) in their efforts to seek solutions and work toward practices that incorporate the true needs, wants and desires of Black women and birthing people. #BMHW24

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Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA) is a national network focused on advancing Black maternal health, rights, and justice. Learn more about what they are doing through TruLite Health's newest blog below. #BMHW4 #BlackWomensHealth #BlackMaternalHealth #BlackHealthEquity #BlackMamasMatter #healthequity #healthcareinnovation

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Advancing behavioral health equity means working to ensure that EVERY individual has access to health services. This #MinorityMentalHealth month learn how behavioral health providers can use culturally and linguistically appropriate services in their practice: https://lnkd.in/eK7f_XTz

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Our individual and systemic advocacy would not be possible without our community of supporters, advocates and partners. In our 2023 Annual Report, you’ll read how we’re bridging gaps in DC’s behavioral health system, strengthening our #MLPs and more! Read the full report, here: https://ow.ly/4b4p50Ris33

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As a nonprofit serving Black birthing families, Uzazi Village knows that one of the most powerful tools for healthy Black births are doulas and the well-rounded support they provide. Doula guidance has been associated with many positive perinatal health outcomes, such as reduced cesarean sections and length of labor, and lower rates of low birthweight and preterm births. Learn more about Uzazi Village: https://bit.ly/4aZrVHT

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