Systemic racism in healthcare

Dr. Janell Green Smith provided mentorship and prenatal care at a community birth clinic in Charleston, S.C. (Credit: GoFundMe) A 31-year-old midwife who devoted her life to advocating for Black maternal health died early this year due to childbirth complications. Dr. Janell Green Smith worked at a community birth center in Charleston, South Carolina, where she provided prenatal care to patients and helped train midwifery students. Colleagues said she was instrumental in educating families on issues around pregnancy and the postpartum period. The exact cause of her death has not been revealed. Green Smith, who referred to herself as the “Loc’d Midwife,” died during the delivery of her first child. “That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is both heartbreaking and unacceptable,” the American College of Nurse-Midwives wrote in a statement on social media. “Her death underscores the persistent and well-documented reality that Black women—regardless of education, income or professional expertise—face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth due to systemic racism and failures in care.” Most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the U.S., Black women fare worse than white women in just about every metric when it comes to accessing quality reproductive healthcare. According to a March of Dimes report released in November, about a quarter of expectant mothers are not receiving prenatal care until after their first trimester. Preterm birth rates among babies born to Black mothers rose to nearly 15%. The dire statistics have prompted more Black women to opt for home births, surrounded by supportive family and specialists such as doulas and midwives who make them feel heard. The American College of Nurse-Midwives called Green Smith’s death “a profound failure” of the many systems that determine worse outcomes for Black women. A GoFundMe for Green Smith was started by her family and husband Daiquan to cover funeral and memorial expenses and essentials for their newborn. "Any contribution — no matter the size — will help provide stability, relief, and care during a time when the family needs it most," the fundraiser description read. "Please continue to keep the Smith Family lifted in prayer. Every kind gesture, word, donation, and prayer is deeply felt and appreciated more than we can express. We love you all and thank you for standing with us during this time."

Systemic racism in healthcare

Death of Midwife Shows Dire Need for Access to Quality Care

The Story Exchange

Systemic racism in healthcare

Death of Midwife Shows Dire Need for Access to Quality Care

The Story Exchange

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