BLACK , IMMIGRANT and REFUGEE WOMEN AREN ’ T GETTING the PRENATAL CARE THEY NEED
by SARAH MOYER , MD , & ADRIA JOHNSON
Recently , Metro United Way , the Ready for K Alliance and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness worked together with community-based organizations to host focus groups and interviews with Louisville parents who had received prenatal care or had given birth within the last three years . We wanted to hear from Black , immigrant and refugee parents and those who have experienced substance use disorder about their experiences accessing prenatal care and giving birth . Plus , we need their recommendations for making systems of care more accessible . While participating parents reported some positive experiences , they also noted opportunities for improvement :
• Some parents reported that accessing prenatal care or knowing where to go was troublesome . This was particularly true for parents who are recent immigrants or refugees who not only have to navigate a new city and a new language but also a complex health care system .
• Cost and insurance coverage prevented some parents from receiving the types of care that they desired .
• Black parents reported that they experienced medical racism from providers particularly close to or at the time of delivery or when they requested treatment for pain . They felt like their concerns weren ’ t taken seriously . One Black mother said after voicing concerns about a possible infection , her
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