Not being heard, not being taken seriously and being misunderstood by health care providers often describes a routine medical visit for many Black parents. For Black parents of young children, that lack of cultural understanding can lead to grim consequences for the health of the baby and mother.
According to the California Department of Public Health, Black babies in the Bay Area are two to three times more likely to be born too soon or too small or to die before their first birthday, compared to white babies. Scientific evidence points to structural racism and a systemic lack of cultural awareness by providers as the cause of these disparities.
To address these and other health disparities and improve the overall health outcomes for Black children and families, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland launched a new initiative this month called BLOOM: Black Baby Equity Clinic. The new clinic matches Black babies, newborn to 3 years old, with a health care team of the same race.