Disrupting the status quo for equity in Black Maternal Health
“Black mothers—irrespective of socioeconomic status—are more than 3x more likely to die in childbirth than white mothers. This inequity is due in large part to health deterioration, caused by chronic stressors like racism and classism, called "weathering," a term first coined by Dr. Arline Geronimus in 1992. From unrealistic expectations of what Black women can endure to having their pain mismanaged and their birth plans and preferences dismissed, Black mothers often do not receive the clinical support their lives depend on.” - VML
In an effort to inspire change in the Black maternal health crisis, Wunderman Thompson’s Health4Equity Center of Excellence launched a campaign that aims to disrupt the status quo for health equity and advocate for Black maternal health. At the center of this campaign is RxUCKUS, an interactive digital zine with illustrations, animations, and poetry that highlight the Black birthing experience and explore methods of holistic healing from the chronic stress that is caused by racism and discrimination. I am grateful to have been a key contributor to this project.
View the RxCUKUS interactive zine here
What People Are Saying
“This #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, #Health4Equity has created an incredible zine – RxUCKUS – amplifying the voices of the Black mothers, mothers-to-be, and birthworkers weathering the Black maternal health crisis.”
— California Black Health Network
This project has provided a poetic path to healing for Black mothers, while simultaneously elevating awareness of weathering as a little-understood, key root cause of negative outcomes experienced in the Black maternal health journey. The work and collaboration are as beautiful as the healing and positive clinical change it’s meant to inspire to impact the Black maternal health crisis.”
— Dania Alacron
“With its various imagery and articles, RxUCKUS empowers and sparks important conversations surrounding the Black Maternal Health Crisis.”