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 #PrescribingAHealthierFuture

Black mothers in America are dying at three and a half times the rate of white mothers &mdash; 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:
<ul>
<li>Why cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of pregnancy-related deaths for Black women </li>
<li>How systemic racism, bias, and lack of postpartum care are costing lives </li>
<li>Why income, education, and fame don&rsquo;t protect Black mothers </li>
<li>The role of doulas, midwives, and community advocacy </li>
<li>How health insurance rollbacks and access gaps worsen outcomes </li>
<li>Why self-advocacy can literally save lives </li>
</ul>
This conversation is about prevention, policy, and power &mdash; and why listening to Black women is essential to fixing maternal healthcare in America.
&nbsp;If you&rsquo;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.
&nbsp;
Here are some notable moments from this episode:
00:00 &ndash; Why Black Mothers Are Dying at Alarming Rates
00:33 &ndash; Heart Disease: The Leading Cause of Maternal Death
01:47 &ndash; 80% of These Deaths Are Preventable
03:21 &ndash; Meet Courtney Christian: Policy Meets Personal
05:40 &ndash; Caring for Sick Parents While Writing the ACA
07:28 &ndash; Why Black Women&rsquo;s Health Is Often Ignored
10:01 &ndash; Why Pregnancy Is More Dangerous Than We Realize
12:41 &ndash; Beyonc&eacute;, Serena, and the Myth of Protection
13:22 &ndash; Courtney&rsquo;s High-Risk Pregnancy Story
15:17 &ndash; Cardiovascular Disease Before, During, and After Pregnancy
17:29 &ndash; The Shortage of Black OB-GYNs
19:22 &ndash; Why Insurance Doesn&rsquo;t Equal Access to Care
21:36 &ndash; The Role of Doulas and Midwives
24:10 &ndash; Policies That Are Improving Maternal Outcomes
26:17 &ndash; How Insurance Rollbacks Hurt Black Women
29:31 &ndash; Why Health Literacy Matters
31:37 &ndash; How Communities Can Advocate for Change
40:15 &ndash; A Shocking Medical Bias Story
43:25 &ndash; Trusting Your Body and Getting Second Opinions
46:08 &ndash; Final Message: How to Protect Yourself and Others
&nbsp;
#BlackMaternalHealth #MaternalMortality #BlackWomenHealth #PregnancyHealth #MaternalCare #HealthEquity #HeartDiseaseAwareness #OBGYN #PostpartumCare #BlackMoms #HealthcareCrisis #HealthPolicy #Doulas #Midwives #WomensHealth #PrescribingAHealthierFuture

Hosted by California State Senator and board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Akilah Weber, Prescribing a Healthier Future explores the powerful connection between policy and public health. Each episode examines the social determinants of health—like neighborhood safety, school quality, environmental justice, and economic opportunity—through conversations with healthcare heroes, community leaders, policymakers, and everyday Californians. Together, we’ll uncover how smarter policies and stronger communities can shape a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Hosted by California State Senator and board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Akilah Weber, Prescribing a Healthier Future explores the powerful connection between policy and public health. Each episode examines the social determinants of health&mdash;like neighborhood safety, school quality, environmental justice, and economic opportunity&mdash;through conversations with healthcare heroes, community leaders, policymakers, and everyday Californians. Together, we&rsquo;ll uncover how smarter policies and stronger communities can shape a healthier, more equitable future for all.