Episode Description

Why is it that despite advancements in technology and medicine, maternal mortality rates continue to rise, particularly among Native and Black women? That's the unsettling question we tackle today with our esteemed guest, LeJune Johnson. As a licensed clinical social worker with a rich history in mental health and a seasoned professional from the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (Contractor Consultant), LeJeune unpacks this pressing issue with us. We leave no stone unturned in investigating the systemic factors contributing to this shocking trend.

Then, brace yourself as we navigate the somber corridors of history, revealing the haunting legacy of reproductive injustices against Black women. From the infamous surgeries performed by Dr. J Marion Sims on enslaved women, to Fannie Lou Hamer's coined term Mississippi appendectomy, we lay bare the harsh realities of the past. LeJeune then sheds light on how these injustices can be confronted and mitigated, guiding us on a path towards health equity. This episode challenges us to question and combat healthcare inequities in today's world. Tune in for an illuminating conversation that will leave you informed, provoked and ready to take action.

Powerful The Podcast Intro

Powerful the podcast  Outro Music