“Seattle University Nursing Students Publish Groundbreaking Paper Addressing Black Maternal Health Crisis
Two undergraduate nursing students at Seattle University have taken a groundbreaking step to address the alarmingly high mortality rates of Black women before, during, and after pregnancy. The students, Bethany Van Baak and Amy Powell, worked closely with the then CEO of Byrd Barr Place, a nonprofit serving the Black community in Seattle and across the state, as well as a professor from the Seattle University College of Nursing. Together, they transformed their final paper into a high-quality journal article, titled “Essential Nursing Actions to Reduce Inequalities for Black Women in the Perinatal Period,” which was published in the prestigious Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing last year.
The students, who have since graduated and are pursuing nursing careers, were driven by a strong desire to move beyond acknowledging the problem and take concrete action to address it. The article, a critical commentary, aims to provide tangible solutions and resources for the nursing community to aid in the reduction of health inequalities for Black women during the perinatal period.
The paper advocates for essential nursing actions, outlining key steps for nurses to consider when caring for Black maternal health. These actions include understanding the drivers of health inequities, reflecting on implicit bias, using respectful care frameworks with Black women, conducting ethical research, and advocating for change.
One of the authors, Bethany Van Baak, emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating, “The problem is big enough that we need to be doing more than what’s already been done.” Their work has already made an impact, providing Byrd Barr Place with a case for support and enabling them to make funding pitches and presentations to other community service organizations to address the crisis.
The critical commentary also sheds light on the staggering statistics of maternal mortality among Black women, highlighting the urgent need for action. The national maternal mortality ratio has seen a significant increase among non-Hispanic Black women, and the authors stress the importance of nurses taking proactive measures to advocate for their patients.
Moreover, the efforts of the students have been recognized as a pioneering achievement. Jennifer Fricas, a professor at the Seattle University College of Nursing, noted the exceptional quality of the work, highlighting the rarity of such a feat for undergraduate students to get published in a peer-reviewed nursing journal.
The publication of the students’ paper comes at a crucial time, as the Black maternal health crisis has long been an issue of concern in the United States. Historic disparities and systemic racism have led to disproportionately high mortality rates among Black women during pregnancy and childbirth. The critical commentary by Van Baak and Powell serves as a significant contribution to the ongoing efforts to address this longstanding issue and advocate for meaningful change.
In light of the current challenges and existing disparities, the paper offers a ray of hope, as it exemplifies the power of proactive and purpose-driven collaboration in the field of nursing. The dedication and passion of the students, in partnership with community and academic leaders, demonstrate the potential impact of grassroots initiatives in addressing critical healthcare issues.
As the collective efforts of the students and their collaborators continue to gain recognition, their paper stands as a testament to the potential of nursing professionals to drive positive change in maternal health care, particularly for marginalized communities. This historic achievement signifies a landmark moment in the pursuit of equitable and accessible healthcare for all, and serves as an inspiration for future generations of healthcare professionals to actively engage in addressing the systemic issues that perpetuate health disparities.”
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