Stacey D. Stewart, MBA

Today is Policy Day of Black Maternal Health Week, so let’s talk about a few policies we should implement to improve maternal health care for Black pregnant people. Here’s a to-do list for policymakers on this year’s BMHW: ✔️ Expand Medicaid to 12 months postpartum in all 50 states: Dr. Jessica Pineda of Brown University found that “Black mothers are twice as likely to experience maternal mental health conditions but half as likely to receive treatment compared to White mothers.” Expanding Medicaid could help expand access to vital mental health services for conditions like postpartum depression. ✔️ Expand Medicaid to cover doula and midwife care: OB-GYN Dr. Dawn Owens Robinson said “Doulas save lives,” and the data proves it. Doulas help reduce disparities in Black maternal health care, and shouldn’t just be a privilege for the wealthy. ✔️ Protect reproductive rights: Black women living in states where abortion access is restricted face disproportionate risks from unintended pregnancies. Access to the full spectrum of reproductive care is important for maternal health overall.

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As Vice Chair of the Global Communities Board, I'm very excited to welcome IntraHealth International to the family, deepening the organization's capabilities in healthcare to scale global impact and serve even more vulnerable lives beyond the millions currently served. The world is hurting and needs leading NGOs like Global Communities doing mission-critical work even more, from providing life-saving humanitarian aid in war-torn conflict regions like Gaza and Ukraine to sustainable development in Africa and Latin America and providing access to capital for entrepreneurs in emerging markets. While this combination expands capacity, reach, and expertise, our most critical measure of success has always been and will always be the lives we help to improve in the most vulnerable communities, and I am very confident Global Communities and its new "healthy" subsidiary will be even better positioned together. Special Thanks to Global Communities Board Chair John Potter, its President and CEO Carrie Hessler-Radelet, IntraHelath Board Chair Mary Kay Wills, its President & CEO Maqsoda Maqsodi, and the passionately mission-driven leadership team from both organizations for making this combination happen. I couldn't be more proud and excited about the organization's future. Vitas Group Khalid Kabeer #savinglives #leadership #ngo #ingo #mergers #humanitarianaid #healthcare #globalhealth #sustainabledevelopment #microfinance #impact #acquisitions #usaid #consolidation #boards #impactinvesting Kind Capital

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Last week I had the pleasure of joining a panel discussion about maternal and infant health at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference. I am energized by the long-form investigative pieces that uphold the dignity of the human spirit written by my fellow panelists Linda Villarosa, Akilah Johnson, & Joshunda Sanders and by the tireless work and grace that Jeanine Valrie Logan shows every day. Let's give them their flowers now for their tireless work in bringing these crucial stories to light. 💐 🌺 🌻 🌼 🌷 These takeaways from our powerful conversation continue to linger on my mind:   Black women are shouldering the burden of covering infant and maternal mortality in newsrooms across this country. These stories are powerful, and we need credible journalism about infant and maternal health to inform strong policy. But this is emotional labor that is not paid.    The media appetite for stories of Black joy is low, and these stories are in short supply. We must uplift them when we see them - like them, repost them, and send meaningful notes of encouragement to the authors.   Stories of human dignity and worth are necessary. Journalists' work helps to change hearts and minds, and what follows is the ability to change policies and systems to better serve those who have been marginalized. Health, racism, social justice, and democracy are tightly intertwined. It’s important both advocates and policymakers keep this front of mind.

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This recent JAMA article highlights the impact of Rx partners Vot-ER on civic participation: "Question: Can health care–based voter mobilization efforts help reach populations underrepresented in US elections?" Voters reached by Vot-ER healthcare partners in 2020 were notably more diverse than those reached by traditional political campaigns. In addition, turnout among these voters was substantially higher. Integrating voter registration into healthcare settings is effective in reaching and mobilizing populations that are typically underrepresented in the democratic process, a key step in promoting a healthier and more equitable society. https://lnkd.in/dQDHpHET?

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