DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP)
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Description
Imagine someone you love is pregnant. She has been healthy her entire life, is in good shape, and in good mental standing. She is of the middle class, with a reliable home and a stable relationship. Throughout her pregnancy, she attends regular doctors’ visits, eats healthily, takes her prenatal vitamins, and does her best to reduce excess stress in her life. As she approaches her delivery date, she notices some concerning factors as it relates to her health. She notices increasing pain and persistent nausea well into her third trimester. She goes to the doctor to ensure both her and her baby are in good health. Due to her good health throughout her pregnancy, her young age, and her good economic standing, her concerns are dismissed. She is sent home with a prescription for Advil and rest. A week later, she is rushed to the hospital to deliver her baby by emergency C-section, and shortly after the delivery, she dies. Unfortunately, this story is all too common, as many African American mothers find themselves voicing concerns that are often ignored by the DC healthcare system. As a result, the African American maternal mortality rate is significantly higher than any other race in the US. In this project we explore this epidemic, and offer our recommendations.
Publication Date
2019
Recommended Citation
Coleman, Blake; Moore, Bailey; Nwadiaro, Joe; and Tribble, Andrea, "NahMaStay Maternal Community Health Center: "Breaking Barrier and No Jokes"" (2019). DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP). 31.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/dchapp/31
Open Access
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