Racial Disparities Postpartum

The United States has the highest rate of maternal deaths among high-income nations and women of color are disproportionately affected. For Black women in this country, the rate jumps from 22 deaths with every 100,000 births to 50 deaths for every 100,000 births. When it comes to postpartum depression, these same women are several times more likely to suffer, but less likely to receive treatment.

To understand these disparities and discuss ways to combat them, we are joined by three experts. Shaleah Dardar, MD, and Brigitte McClellan, PsyD, specialize in child and adolescent psychiatry at Children’s Hospital Colorado and are both assistant professors at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Whitney Dunlap is a lactation consultant and health educator.

In this episode, our experts discuss:

• Barriers and biases that put Black mothers and their babies at a disadvantage
• How primary care providers can create a safe space for parents to be vulnerable
• The overlap of adult care and newborn care during postpartum