Inequities in Healthcare, Focus on Black Maternal and Reproductive Health

spotlight header image jamila perritt rachel bervell

Maternal mortality, or the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of the pregnancy, has been on the rise in the United States increasing from 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020 to 32.9 deaths in 2021 according to a recent CDC report. Although the increase was present across racial and ethnic lines, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 69.9 deaths, much higher than for other groups. Join Dr. Jamila Perritt and Dr. Rachel Bervell as they discuss the Black Maternal Health Crisis, the impact policies can have on both the crisis both positively and negatively, and what viewers in all fields can do to stay informed and engaged in the conversation.

ABOUT Jamila Perritt

Dr. Perritt is a fellowship-trained Obstetrician and Gynecologist with a comprehensive background in family planning and reproductive health.  

She is the President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health, an organization that works to improve access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare. Dr. Perritt is a trusted voice in the field and has been interviewed by a number of organizations including NPR, Vogue, Vox. 

She received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and completed her medical degree at Howard University College of Medicine.  In addition to a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Pennsylvania Hospital, Dr. Perritt received her fellowship training in Family Planning and Master of Public Health at The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Perritt is board-certified and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society of Family Planning.
 

ABOUT Rachel Bervell

Dr. Rachel Bervell is a Harvard, Georgetown, University of Illinois at Chicago College and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health alumna. Rachel's academic interest consisted of Social & Cognitive Neuroscience and  healthcare delivery and disparities research.

In addition to being a member of the Delta Omega Honors Society, Rachel has an entrepreneurial spirit as the founder of multiple initiatives, has worked on quality improvement projects domestically & abroad, serves on national advisory councils, loves to mentor minority students, and uses social media to creatively educate thousands on health topics.

Through her leadership, she has cemented an understanding of health systems and empowers underserved patients to take ownership of their wellbeing. She is humbled to have received numerous honors, including the 2021 National Medical Association’s Top Physician’s Under 40 Award. When she’s not keeping herself occupied, she can be found tending to her plants, mothering her mini goldendoodle, being a foodie, and exploring new places with her loved ones.

 Event Date
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Start Time: 12:00pm EDT
End Time: 1:00pm EDT

 Contact
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Elizabeth Rigsbee
9374086063
erigsbee@jhu.edu

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