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accessHealthNews.net
August 2022
Volume 8 | Issue No. 60
B
reastfeeding has been linked to various benefits
for infant and maternal health. However, a lack
of access to culturally competent health care and
breastfeeding support has led to many health disparities
affecting Black birthing people and their children.
Black Breastfeeding Week 2022 celebrates a decade
of creating a foundation of lactation support built on
racial equity, cultural empowerment, and community
engagement. From August 25-31, 2022, organizations
raise awareness of the barriers to breastfeeding among
Black women and birthing people and their impact on
Black infant health.
According to the organizers of Black Breastfeeding Week,
this event is necessary to identify and acknowledge five
main points surrounding this conversation:
• Diet-related disease among Black people and infants.
• Desert-like conditions in Black communities.
• High rates of Black infant mortality.
• Unique cultural barriers among Black women and
birthing people.
• The lack of diversity in the lactation field.
Recognizing and addressing these concerns and the
barriers to breastfeeding among Black birthing people
can help researchers, care providers, community-
based organizations, and parents make impactful
improvements to health and mortality disparities among
Black birthing parents and infants.
Disease and Mortality in Black Infants
According to the Office of Minority Health, the Black
infant mortality rate is 2.3 times that of white infants.
The leading causes of Black infant mortality are being
disproportionately born too small, too sick, or too soon.
In 2018, Black infants were four times as likely to die from
complications related to birth weight than white infants
and twice as likely to die from sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS).
>>
According to the
Office of Minority
Health, the Black
infant mortality rate
is 2.3 times that
of white infants.
The leading causes
of Black infant
mortality are being
disproportionately
born too small, too
sick, or too soon.
READ MORE
24/7, Free, Confidential Hotline for Pregnant and New Moms in
English and Spanish
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text
1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746). TTY users can use a preferred
relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-943-5746.
Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many
women feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different
times during their pregnancy or after having a baby.
These feelings can make it hard to care for yourself, care for your
baby, or even do basic daily tasks. Sometimes these feelings go
away on their own. But for some women, these emotions, if they
last more than two weeks, are more serious and need treatment.
About the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free,
confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The
Hotline offers callers:
• Phone or text access to professional counselors
• Real-time support and information
• Response within a few minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Resources
• Referrals to local and telehealth providers and support groups
• Culturally sensitive support
• Counselors who speak English and Spanish
• Interpreter services in 60 languages
National Maternal Mental
Health Hotline
Frequently Asked Questions about
the National Maternal Mental Health
