How Racism Impacts Pregnancy Outcomes

UCLA obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Michael Lu believes that for many women of color, racism over a life time, not just during the nine months of pregnancy, increases the risk of preterm delivery. To improve birth outcomes, Lu argues, we must address the conditions that impact women's health not just when they become pregnant but from childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.

This video is a Web-exclusive supplement to "When the Bough Breaks," Episode 2 of "UNNATURAL CAUSES: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?" This ground-breaking documentary series looks at how the social, economic and physical environments in which we are born, live, and work profoundly affect our longevity and health. The series broadcast nationally on PBS in spring 2008, and can be bought on DVD from California Newsreel, www.newsreel.org

Visit www.unnaturalcauses.org to learn more.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• African
• American
• Black
• birth
• infant
• mortality
• weight
• preterm
• lifecourse
• prenatal
• race

[redbonegal]

Thanks for the great, informative video.

[Haitian1130]

Wow..the fixing has to take place in the womb. The question is how, because I'm sure the stress of the mother affects the baby. Good video.

[makezmuzic]

Thank you.