Bridging the Maternal Health Divide: How Systemic Racism is Impacting Black Birthing Individuals and the Importance of Community Birth Centers

The alarming disparity in maternal mortality and morbidity faced by Black birthing individuals is a result of systemic racism embedded in every aspect of society, rather than genetic predispositions. Nashira Baril, founder of the Neighborhood Birth Center in Boston, is well aware of these disparities in maternal health, particularly affecting Black communities.

According to Baril, there is a crisis in maternal health that disproportionately affects people of color, especially Black individuals. She believes that racism is the root cause of these health inequities. In an effort to address this issue, the New Commonwealth Fund is providing a $300,000 grant to the Neighborhood Birth Center during Black Maternal Health Week.

With the grant money, the Neighborhood Birth Center plans to open Boston’s first community birth center in Roxbury. This birth center will prioritize midwifery care and offer amenities like queen-sized beds, spacious walk-in showers, and birthing tubs for a more comfortable and inclusive birthing experience. Baril hopes that this new facility will help improve maternal health outcomes for Black birthing individuals in the community.