Thursday, April 3, 2008

Tune in to 'Unnatural Causes' Tonight on PBS

Welcome to my blog: Maternal Health Matters!

I hope you will make time to tune into the landmark PBS Series on health disparities and inequality,
"Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?"

The second episode in the series, "When the Bough Breaks" (to air in Atlanta on Georgia Public Broadcasting – channel 8, at 10 p.m., tonight, Thursday, April 3, 2008) explores the ill-effects of racism on the birth outcomes of African American women who are twice as likely to give birth to premature and low birth weight babies placing those babies at greater risk of death and impairment.

On the show, powerful personal stories—from folks from around the country—demonstrate how social conditions are as vital to our health as diet, smoking and exercise.

The producers of the show describe "UNNATURAL CAUSES" best: "It is a medical detective story out to solve the mystery of what’s stalking and killing us before our time, especially those of us who are less affluent and darker skinned."

My research shows that "the chronic stress of racism can become embedded in African American mothers’ bodies and take a toll on their children even before they leave the womb."
Download the "When the Bough Breaks" Discussion Guide, and let's weigh in on the issue...because "Maternal Health Matters!"