In Buffalo, New York, the fight to close the gap in maternal mortality has moved from the realm of statistics into the classroom and the clinic. As part of the efforts surrounding Black maternal health week: Buffalo leaders unveil ‘Can You Hear Me?’ video series address implicit bias, a new initiative is attempting to dismantle the systemic prejudices that often silence Black mothers in the delivery room.
The project, titled “Can You Hear Me?”, consists of 11 short vignettes based on interviews with local mothers and national narratives. These stories are not merely testimonials; they are designed as educational tools for medical, nursing, and social work students, as well as for existing hospital staff. By centering the lived experiences of women of color, organizers hope to train healthcare providers to recognize and counteract the implicit biases that lead to disparate care and preventable tragedies.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by stark data. Between 2018 and 2020, New York State data indicated that Black non-Hispanic women were five times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white non-Hispanic women. Perhaps more distressing is the finding that 73% of those deaths were preventable, with nearly half of those cases involving discrimination as a contributing factor.
The Human Cost of Clinical Dismissal
For many Black women, the risk is not just a matter of biological complications, but of not being heard. Natasha, a local mother, recalled a harrowing experience during a high-risk pregnancy where her concerns were ignored by medical staff. Despite telling providers she believed she was in labor, she was asked to exit the facility and told it was too soon for delivery.
When she returned at 36 weeks, she was already seven centimeters dilated. While her baby was eventually delivered safely, the experience was marked by complications that might have been mitigated by earlier intervention. Now, Natasha urges other mothers to be their own fiercest advocates. “Don’t keep your mouth quiet,” she said. “Speak for yourself, advocate. You know your body more than anybody else.”
This pattern of dismissal is a hallmark of implicit bias—the unconscious associations or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. In a clinical setting, this can manifest as a provider spending less time with a Black patient, dismissing reports of pain, or failing to order critical diagnostic tests that would be standard for a white patient presenting with the same symptoms.
The emotional toll extends beyond the patient to the entire family. Trina Burruss, president and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, shared the pain of her own family’s experience with pregnancy complications, which included the loss of a grandson. Burruss spoke to the lingering guilt and questioning that often follows such losses, wondering if a different approach or different words might have altered her daughter’s outcome.
Structural Racism and the Myth of Immunity
Community leaders emphasize that these disparities are not the result of individual “bad actors” alone, but are rooted in structural racism. Pastor George Nichols of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity noted that the crisis persists regardless of a woman’s socioeconomic status, education level, or public profile.
Nichols pointed to high-profile examples, such as Serena Williams and Beyoncé Knowles, both of whom have publicly discussed facing life-threatening complications during pregnancy. The fact that wealth and fame do not insulate Black women from suboptimal care suggests that the issue is deeply embedded in the healthcare system’s architecture rather than a lack of resources.
According to Nichols, the scale of the problem is immense, stating that 90% of the deaths occurring for Black women in the birthing process were deemed preventable. He argued that the primary solution begins with a simple but profound shift: “We have to listen to Black women.”
Comparative Impact of Maternal Health Disparities
| Metric | Finding | Contributing Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Mortality Risk | Black women 5x more likely to die | Systemic racial disparities |
| Preventability | 73% of Black maternal deaths | Delayed or inadequate care |
| Role of Bias | Nearly 50% of preventable deaths | Discrimination in healthcare |
From Awareness to Institutional Change
The goal of the “Can You Hear Me?” series is to move beyond awareness and toward measurable institutional change. Luanne Brown, CEO of the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, stated that the initiative builds on years of advocacy regarding maternal mortality and perinatal mental health. By tackling the “tough topic” of implicit bias, the network aims to change the culture of care at the point of entry.
The University at Buffalo has already committed to incorporating the video series into its curriculum starting this month, ensuring that the next generation of healthcare providers is trained to recognize the signs of bias before they reach the bedside. This integration marks a shift toward treating implicit bias as a clinical competency rather than an optional sensitivity training.
The effort to scale this model is already expanding. The series is scheduled to be presented at the New York State Perinatal Conference in June, where organizers intend to build partnerships across healthcare and educational organizations to expand the program’s reach statewide.
As a physician, I have seen how the “clinical gaze” can be clouded by unconscious assumptions. When a patient’s concerns are dismissed, the diagnostic window closes. Addressing this is not just about social justice; it is about the fundamental medical requirement of accurate diagnosis and timely intervention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has consistently highlighted that maternal mortality is a critical public health crisis that requires multifaceted, systemic interventions.
The next major milestone for this initiative will be the presentation of the “Can You Hear Me?” series at the New York State Perinatal Conference in June, which will serve as a catalyst for statewide adoption of the training modules.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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