Awareness And Innovation Pump New Life Into Black Women’s Heart and Maternal Healthcare

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, and death in general, among Black women residing in the United States, according to a 2023 joint statement from the Association of Black Cardiologists, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association. This is an unequivocally jarring realization that begs the question, how do we fix it? Healthcare professionals are essential in addressing the issue of heart health and its impact on maternal mortality rates for Black women in the U.S. It is imperative to highlight a burgeoning class of Black clinicians and Black-owned/operated healthcare services using innovative approaches to reduce barriers to care for Black women. At the forefront of this push are founders and organizations such as Cayaba Care, founded by Mary Fleming, M.D.; Culture Care, co-founded and led by Joy Cooper, M.D.; Navigate Maternity, founded by Ariana McGee; and Health in Her Hue, founded by Ashlee Wisdom.  Cayaba Care is a Philadelphia-based maternity company that prides itself on being more than a typical maternity company. They have cultivated a community dedicated to reversing trends and providing unwavering support to birthing people. Their mission is to bridge the maternal health equity gap. Cayaba Care’s work...