Beyoncé, Serena, and Everyday Black Mothers: Why No One Is Safe in This System

Black mothers in America are dying at three and a half times the rate of white mothers — and more than 80% of these deaths are preventable. In this powerful episode of Prescribing a Healthier Future, Dr. Akilah Weber Pearson sits down with health policy expert Courtney Christian to unpack the Black maternal health crisis and the leading role heart disease plays in pregnancy-related deaths. Together, they explore: Why cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of pregnancy-related deaths for Black women How systemic racism, bias, and lack of postpartum care are costing lives Why income, education, and fame don’t protect Black mothers The role of doulas, midwives, and community advocacy How health insurance rollbacks and access gaps worsen outcomes Why self-advocacy can literally save lives This conversation is about prevention, policy, and power — and why listening to Black women is essential to fixing maternal healthcare in America.  If you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or love someone who is, this episode could save a life. Subscribe, like, and share to help amplify this critical conversation.   Here are some notable moments from this episode: 00:00 – Why Black Mothers Are Dying at Alarming Rates 00:33 – Heart Disease: The Leading Cause of Maternal Death 01:47 – 80% of These Deaths Are Preventable 03:21 – Meet Courtney Christian: Policy Meets Personal 05:40 – Caring for Sick Parents While Writing the ACA 07:28 – Why Black Women’s Health Is Often Ignored 10:01 – Why Pregnancy Is More Dangerous Than We Realize 12:41 – Beyoncé, Serena, and the Myth of Protection 13:22 – Courtney’s High-Risk Pregnancy Story 15:17 – Cardiovascular Disease Before, During, and After Pregnancy 17:29 – The Shortage of Black OB-GYNs 19:22 – Why Insurance Doesn’t Equal Access to Care 21:36 – The Role of Doulas and Midwives 24:10 – Policies That Are Improving Maternal Outcomes 26:17 – How Insurance Rollbacks Hurt Black Women 29:31 – Why Health Literacy Matters 31:37 – How Communities Can Advocate for Change 40:15 – A Shocking Medical Bias Story 43:25 – Trusting Your Body and Getting Second Opinions 46:08 – Final Message: How to Protect Yourself and Others   #BlackMaternalHealth #MaternalMortality #BlackWomenHealth #PregnancyHealth #MaternalCare #HealthEquity #HeartDiseaseAwareness #OBGYN #PostpartumCare #BlackMoms #HealthcareCrisis #HealthPolicy #Doulas #Midwives #WomensHealth #PrescribingAHealthierFutureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.