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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Portland, OR - The International Center for
Traditional Childbearing (ICTC) will present the 8th annual Black
Midwives and Healers Conference, Returning Power to Birth: Reclaiming
Our Culture on October 19-21 at the Newport Beach Hotel, Sunny Isles,
Florida. The conference will provide opportunities for healthcare
providers to build skills for cultural competency create and broaden
advocacy networks to spur change, and eliminate health disparities in
Black communities across the U.S. This landmark conference of midwives
of color is committed to improving birth outcomes and reducing health
disparities of women and infants.
ICTC president and founder Shafia Monroe says, “African American babies
continue to have high mortality rates, twice the rate of Caucasian
American babies. This is concerning given the sophisticated health care
systems and services available in the U.S. It points directly to the
inequity of basic access to pre- and post-natal healthcare serving the
specific needs of Black communities. This is a major health and policy
issue that we have yet to solve or even reduce below the startlingly
high rates we see today. By bringing together midwives and doulas of
color from across the country, we can share information, promising
practices, and together develop strategies that will ensure healthy
birth outcomes for all women in this country.”
The 8th annual Black Midwives and Healers conference will convene
national and international midwives, doulas, birth-workers, healthcare
professionals, and healers to confirm methods to eliminate infant
mortality and build capacity in the African American, African descent
and Black communities. It will explore cultural traditions and best
practices in the care of pregnant and birthing women, postpartum care
and breastfeeding support. The mission is to increase the number of
black midwives, doulas and healers to serve those most at risk for poor
birth outcomes by empowering women and families and reintroducing
effective cultural traditions.
Featured keynote speakers include Byllye Avery, McArthur Genius and
founder of the Black Women’s Health Imperative; Mikal H. Shabazz;
UmSalamah Zaimah Abdullah; Maria Valentin-
Welch; Dr. Christ-Ann Magloire and the Soul Sistah Midwives. Erykah
Badu, four time GRAMMY® award winner, doula and healer, and the National
Spokesperson for ICTC, has been invited for special remarks.
The International Center for Traditional Childbearing is an infant
mortality prevention, breastfeeding promotion and midwife training
non-profit organization. ICTC’s mission is to increase the number of
midwives, doulas, and healers of color; and to empower families in order
to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Established in 1991 and
headquartered in Portland, Oregon, ICTC has members and chapters in the
U.S. and around the globe to improve health outcomes.
Editor’s Note: National Infant Mortality Awareness Month(September) and National Midwifery Week( October 7-13)
© Copyright 2012 by thebahamasweekly.com
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