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First Nations women are at higher risk of stillbirth: Here’s why — and what we can do about it

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Australia National Data show First Nations women are at almost twice the risk of stillbirth or “sorry business kids”in comparison with non-First Nations women.

To address this inequality, Australia National Action Plan on Stillbirths focuses on providing culturally secure stillbirth prevention and care to First Nations women.

But first we need to know the underlying causes of the persistent disparities in stillbirths and other pregnancy related results.

We argue that much of this inequality can be traced to the continuing impact of colonization on First Nations women and childbearing. Here’s why.

Ongoing intergenerational trauma

First Nations people have lived in Australia for at least 65,000 years. Before Invasion and European settlement in 1788Over 2,000 generations of Native Americans have lived connected to family, community, country and their ancestors.

Colonization has led to First Nations women being stripped of their traditional practices related to pregnancy and childbirthincluding the use of medicinal plants, lively labor and pain relief techniques, and songs about childbirth.

From the mid-1800s to the Nineteen Seventies, First Nations infants and children were forcibly removed from their communities and placed with non-First Nations families.

Land loss, violence and abuse, medical experimentation, cultural suppression, and other systemic injustices have led to widespread intergenerational trauma that contributes to poorer health outcomes today.

Intergenerational Trauma Explained in Four Minutes (The Healing Foundation)

Maternity services are not intended for First Nations women

Historical violence and exclusion have led to intergenerational distrust of colonial systems, services, and spaces amongst First Nations people. There has been an expectation that First Nations people will adapt to Western health services, relatively than those services adapting to First Nations people. ways of knowing, being and acting.

It can be First Nations medical expert shortageThis further limits indigenous people’s access to culturally sensitive care.

Recognition of importance Birth within the Countryside has led to the creation of services comparable to Flap AND Birth in our community.

But there are not enough of these services for all First Nations women. And barriers to establishing services to last.

Resources are not intended for First Nations women

Pregnancy information resources have historically been designed for a colonial audience. These resources are not directed at First Nations women and have rarely been developed by and with First Nations people.

More contemporary initiatives are increasingly involving First Nations people in resource development or placing them in leadership positions.

This Center of Excellence in Stillbirth ResearchThe Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group recently led the event of Stronger Bubba Born pregnancy information and resources website for First Nations women. The information is similar as that provided to non-First Nations women as part of Safer Child Packagebut it has been culturally adapted to the goal group.

Stronger Bubba Born Introductory Video (Stillbirth Research Center of Excellence)

Racism and Discrimination in Maternity Services

While some First Nations women face overt racism in maternity services, many more experience discrimination through hidden prejudicesThis is where caregivers’ unconscious beliefs about Native Americans influence their judgments and interactions with pregnant Native Americans.

Active stereotypes commonly used about pregnant First Nations women include: assuming drug and alcohol use AND perceived inability to motherThis is resulting from the historical marginalization of First Nations peoples.

But implicit bias shouldn’t be the one source. Institutional racism also contributes to poorer health outcomes amongst First Nations women. This is because of built-in structures or policies that perpetuate racial disparities and often goes unnoticed by non-First Nations midwivesInstitutional racism manifests itself in a spread of ways, including: numerical limitations family/supporters who can visit.

All of this results in an imbalance of power and the exclusion of First Nations women. less prone to participate prenatal visits.

Many First Nations women face discrimination in health services.
zulofoto/Shutterstock

Suppliers do not understand First Nations health issues

This Australian First Nations Views on Health differs from the Western view. Connection to family, country and community defines the health of First Nations people, not disease, illness and notions of “risk.”

Physical, spiritual, cultural, social, emotional and mental health are interconnected, and the land is a source of strength, identity and healing.

These concepts form the premise Birth within the Countryside and emphasize the importance self-determination in providing culturally sensitive perinatal care.

However, perinatal care providers have limited knowledge cultural needs of First Nations women and the low level of education and training on this area.

What’s next?

To eliminate racial disparities in stillbirth rates in Australia, our health system and society as a complete must acknowledge the results of colonisation and the structural forces that proceed to affect the health of Indigenous people on this country.

This requires acknowledging Australia’s history and understanding its discomfort.

The Guide to Healthy Spinning is workshop based on two-way learning and experience sharing for non-First Nations perinatal care providers and maternity service administrators.

The workshop goals to enable people to debate stillbirth prevention with First Nations women in a sensitive manner. Participants will learn about the history of Australia and the results of colonisation on First Nations women and childbirth, in addition to what culturally sensitive care looks like for First Nations families.

We have an extended option to go to supply high-quality, culturally sensitive perinatal care to First Nations women and families. However, formal education inside perinatal services is a critical place to begin.


This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

“Get Lifted” by John Legend (twentieth Anniversary Edition) [Interview] – Essence

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Photo credit: Danny Clinch

When John Legend unveiled his debut album in 2004, he couldn’t have predicted the extraordinary legacy it could construct over the following 20 years. Now, with the discharge the singer returns to the project that launched his profession and redefined the boundaries of R&B, hip-hop and neo-soul. Available now, the digital Deluxe Edition offers fans a refreshed tackle timeless classics with remixes, rare tracks and collaborations that bring latest energy to the music.

The twentieth Anniversary Edition includes 11 bonus tracks, including remixes from iconic artists equivalent to Tems, Killer Mike, Lil Wayne, Simi and Black Thought. Two previously unreleased songs – “Do What I Gotta Do” and “Just In Time” – offer fans an intimate look into Legend’s creative process during this era. The album’s revival doesn’t end there; will even be available as 3LP vinyl in 2025, and all copies are signed by Legend.

Reflecting on the challenges of making an original album, the award-winning artist recalled the struggles of an aspiring artist trying to search out their sound. “I wrote a lot of this album when I wasn’t signed, so the big challenge was just figuring out what would work to give me a chance to get the music out there,” he explains. . “I’ve been trying to get a record deal for over five years, but record labels were turning me down both left and right.”

It was only when Kanye West took a likelihood on Legend and signed a contract with GOOD Music that all the pieces began to alter. Working with West and touring together opened doors for the University of Pennsylvania graduate. That same yr, he signed a record take care of Columbia and was able to hit the shelves. The album’s breakout single “Ordinary people” became the anthem that defined Legend’s artistry. “When it finally came out and made it work the way it did, especially with my second single, it was really beautiful to see it start to connect and connect with people,” she tells ESSENCE.

On the occasion of the anniversary edition, Legend collaborated with artists who provided a refreshing atmosphere to Legend’s debut – but remixes aren’t just repetitions of original songs. “I’m a fan of every artist we asked to be a part of the remix,” says Legend. “They have new beats, new energy, new vibes and of course new guest artists. It really brought a fresh perspective to music and excited me to reconnect with music.”

was a breakthrough album for the Ohio-born artist, combining multiple genres in a timeless and groundbreaking way. “I felt like it happened when neo-soul was already at its peak, so in a way it was almost like my reaction to neo-soul,” Legend reflects. “We also combine hip hop and gospel and create something fresh.” Legend’s commitment to songwriting is a thread that runs deep through his work then and now.

The physical format of music, especially upcoming vinyl releases, also plays a big role in maintaining the impact of the unique album. “There will always be people who want to hold something, read the sleeve notes, and play vinyl on their record players at home,” Legend states. “Especially when you’re celebrating an anniversary like this, it’s nice to have a commemorative thing that you can keep. This album means something to people because they remember 20 years ago when they started listening to it and what it meant to them then.”

Rekindling the magic of a pioneering debut, it also stands as a testament to Legend’s enduring craftsmanship. The album stays a masterclass in musical storytelling, connecting generations of fans and proving that great music, like great artists, only gets higher with time.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

US communities phase out fluoride use in public drinking water

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fluoride, water


There is a battle raging in American cities over whether to proceed using fluoride in water.

This is a process generally known as fluoridation that began around 1945. According to to the American Cancer Society became popular across the country after scientists noticed that individuals living in water with higher concentrations of fluoride had less tooth decay.

In 1962, the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) advisable adding fluoride to public drinking water supplies to forestall tooth decay. The American Cancer Society estimates that fluoride is currently used in public drinking water supplied to roughly three in 4 Americans.

However, opponents have been warning for years that fluoride in drinking water is unsafe to devour. One of the organizations leading this initiative is Fluoride Action Network (FAN). The organization, whose mission is to lift awareness of what it claims is the “toxicity of fluoride compounds,” says many of the world’s developed countries don’t use fluoride in drinking water at the identical levels as America, or in any respect.

The organization says yes it helped over 500 communities successfully reject fluoridation, and there could also be more.

Federal leaders have gotten increasingly vocal in their support for ending the use of fluoride

While FAN says communities have rejected fluoridation for the past few a long time and the method has stalled in consequence, the fight has been thrust into the highlight over the past few months.

First, the National Toxicology Program, a federal agency throughout the Department of Health and Human Services, reported with “moderate certainty” that there may be an association between communities with higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children. According to the Associated Press, these communities use greater than twice the advisable limit.

A month later, a federal judge apparently ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because higher levels could affect children.

Robert F. Kennedy, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to direct the Department of Health and Human Services, announced an end to fluoridation.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Health and Wellness

WATCH: Cynthia Erivo on the importance of being a sister – Essence

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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