MaternalHealth
Creating an equitable landscape for Black birthing persons
Black Girls Break Bread believes that health inequity policy solutions require the need for cross-sector systems change, to create an equitable landscape for Black birthing persons in metropolitan Chicago. Equally important, to ensure the re-envisioning of this landscape is comprehensive, feasible and primed for success, the perspective of the community, and those whose lives are at risk must be at the table. Black Girls Break Bread has successfully begun to bridge the gap in various sectors by engaging stakeholders and modeling collaborative efforts around maternal health, with a focus on system change where maternity-care shortages exist.
We work toward establishing an infrastructure for collaboration and information exchange, and developing a common agenda for increased patient-centered, community-engaged Black Maternal Child Health.
Advocating for policy change
"Breaking Silos & Taking Action" speaker series
In February 2020, amid an alarming rate of Labor and Delivery units closing, Black Girls Break Bread launched an interprofessional speaker series titled, “Breaking Silos & Taking Action.” This series of panels provided a platform for information exchange addressing Black Maternal Child Health throughout the south side of Chicago and south suburban Cook County.
The series featured speakers throughout the healthcare ecosystem, including Black OB/GYNs and other physicians, Illinois Public Health representatives, Chicagoland Hospital administrators, State of Illinois policymakers, community-based organizations and MCOs.
BGBB has participated in task forces and committees to promote maternal health, including:
State of IL Infant and Maternal Mortality Task Force for African Americans
I-Promote IL Maternal Health Task Force (Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA))
IL Department of Public Health - OB Deserts/Closures Collaboration Group
Chicago Department of Public Health BabyKit for Newborns Project
SOS Collaborative - Black Physicians on the South Side of Chicago
Chicago Collaborative for Maternal Health - EverThrive Illinois and Alliance Chicago
Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCH) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Consumer Group
Increasing access and ensuring safety
Masks for Moms
During the COVID-19 pandemic, and prior to comprehensive guidance being released for Labor and Delivery units, BGBB discovered a critical need for protective masks.
In response, “Masks for Moms” was launched in partnership with dozens of state health agencies, research institutions, hospitals and community health centers. BGBB helped to distribute over 22,000 masks to pregnant and postpartum members of the community.