Birth Equity

In April, Mano en Manos Community Health and Wellness Board organized a conversation about Birth Equity with the support of healthcare professionals and community members.

Thanks to the help of the Mount Desert Island Racial Equity Working Group, community members were connected to speakers Linda Robinson, Theresa Daniels-Hemphill, and Donna Smith who facilitated a conversation on the  history and current issues surrounding racial injustice and birthing as experienced by Black, Indigenous and People of Color and rural populations in Maine.

The conversation consisted of a presentation and discussion with healthcare providers and users in order to analyze, listen to, and learn about how those most historically marginalized and discriminated against experience pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care in Maine.

Community members were invited to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with one another to learn more about how to support one another and advocate for their health.

Community Health Advocate, Cynthia Simpson shares,

Birth equity supports a community to become abundant and prosperous. To value the lives of all women is not to subjugate one due to race, ethnicity or socioeconomic factors as bias and discrimination. In the area of healthcare we often see structural inequities that contribute to inefficient maternal and infant care. This inequity often results in disproportionate health disparities that BIPOC women have continued to experience.

This is one of the many activities organized by the health and wellness board in order to cultivate community wellness and support the wellbeing of our community.

If you want to support Mano en Manos health and wellness programming, please donate here.