Social and Physiologic Impact of Racism in Maternal-Child Health – Part 2
January 26, 2017
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This webinar examines how racism has specific health consequences that cross socioeconomic and generational lines, describes important new research on the physiological effects of racism, summarizes key literature on race and maternity care, discusses the implications for midwives, and examines the role that federal programs can play to address and reduce disparities.
Tanya Khemet Taiwo, LM, CPM, MPH, is a Graduate Student Researcher enrolled in a PhD program in Epidemiology at University of California – Davis. She is conducting research on the role of prenatal maternal stress on infant neurodevelopment and immune system functions. She also serves as Co-President of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives. Tanya is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Midwifery in both the Master of Science in Midwifery and the Master of Arts in Maternal-Child Health Systems programs. She also provides midwifery care on a part-time basis at CommuniCare Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center with clinics in urban and rural communities around the Sacramento area. Tanya will be introducing our speakers today.
Dr. Michèle Groark Curtis MD, MPH, MML, is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist and third year law student (JD and LLM, anticipated May 2017) with expertise in women’s health, health policy, bioethics, and medical law. Dr. Curtis serves as a voting member of the Medicaid and CHIP regional advisory committee (Region 6, Texas) in providing recommendations on the programs to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), facilitates and responds to input from the public and various stakeholders, and forwards those comments to HHSC. Dr. Curtis is recognized for her ability to explain complex medical issues to leaders of healthcare systems, clinicians, policy and business professionals, politicians, patients, patient families, and students. She has a history of designing and managing successful clinical trials and studies, persuading key funders to participate, and reviewing grants for National Institute of Health. Her experience includes working in clinical practice in academic medicine and U.S. Senate, and advising Centers for Disease Control and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Dr. Curtis speaks about the lingering effects of early environments on adult biology and health in humans, such as epigenetic changes, factors related to racial and economic inequality that are predictors for adverse birth outcomes, and the continuity of environments across generations. She addresses how racial discrimination in particular confers an elevated risk for poor birth outcomes. View Michèle Curtis’ presentation slides here
Camille Sealy, MPH, joined the Health Resources and Services Administration in November 2015. She serves as a Senior Advisor in the Office of Legislation where she provides strategic direction and leads national legislative efforts for the agency around various issues including health workforce, maternal and child health, and primary care. Prior to that she worked on Health Insurance Marketplace coverage issues as a Program Analyst with the Office of Personnel Management’s National Healthcare Operations. She also previously served as a health Legislative Aide to congressional members in both chambers. During her time on Capitol Hill, Camille co-drafted the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 and also drafted provisions within the health reform law pertaining to maternal and child health, prevention and wellness and disparities. Camille currently serves on the Board of Iris House, a New York City-based non-profit which provides comprehensive services and advocacy for women, families, and communities infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. She is also a volunteer at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. Ms. Sealy possesses a BS from Boston College, MEd from Saint Joseph’s University, and MPH from Emory University.
Camille Sealy speaks about disparities in maternal health and birth outcomes as well as access to care, policy implications associated with these disparities and policy changes and legislation needed to improve maternal health and birth outcomes. View Camille Sealy’s presentation slides here
Shandanette Molnar, JD, is a graduate of the George Washington University School of Law and Milken Institute of Public Health, where she earned Juris Doctor and Master of Public Health (Maternal & Child Health) degrees. Currently, Shandanette works as a Staff Attorney in the Bronx, NY, where she aids and counsels tenants and families facing the threat of eviction and advocates for those seeking Social Security disability benefits. Shandanette is also a full-spectrum doula, Certificated Lactation Educator & Counselor, and childbirth educator with more than 10 years experience working with families to advocate for their reproductive health needs. Looking forward, she hopes to blend her legal advocacy skills and public health scholarship with her commitment to bettering reproductive health policy and reducing race- and income-based disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. She is particularly interested in intersectional approaches to health policy, strategies to address social determinants of health and access, and maternal health advocacy.
Indra Lusero, Esq., is the President and founder of the Birth Rights Bar Association and the director of Elephant Circle, and works as an organizer, trainer, and lawyer practicing family formation and regulatory law. Indra went to law school after attending a MANA conference in 2005 where folks lamented not having a “hot shot team of lawyers” who could help defend midwives. Indra has endeavored to become just such a lawyer. Indra’s law review articles “Challenging Hospital VBAC Bans Through Tort Liability” and “Making the Midwife Impossible: How the Structure of Maternity Care Harms the Practice of Home Birth Midwifery” are published in the William and Mary Journal of Women and the Law and the Women’s Rights Law Reporter respectively. Indra is honored to have been named “All Around Reproductive Justice Champion” in 2013 by the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights. Indra is a genderqueer Latin@ parent with a diverse family of people from all over the world.
Shandanette Molnar and Indra Lusero present recent research on racism and birth outcomes, including racial discrimination as an independent risk factor affecting pregnancy and birth outcomes, and maternal, infant and child health. They include a statistical overview of racial disparities in birth outcomes and talk about recommendations to dismantle racism, improve US birth outcomes and eliminate healthcare disparities. View Shandanette Molnar and Indra Lusero’s presentation slides here