This week Farai Chideya talks with Representative Lauren Underwood about how the federal government can tackle the Black maternal health crisis. Dr. Rachel Hardeman of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity explains why she focuses on the impact of racism on health. Farai shares the latest findings that Black women are over three times more likely to die of Covid-19 than white men or Asian men in two U.S. states. And we learn about Dr. Justina Ford, a Black doctor in the 1900s who served patients of color in Denver. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai and Errin Haines of the 19th welcome journalist Fernanda Santos to talk about the state of things at the U.S.-Mexico border, and the possibilities of immigration reform under the Biden-Harris administration.

EPISODE RUNDOWN

1:03 Representative Lauren Underwood on the Black maternal health crisis

12:00 Doctor Rachel Hardeman on how racism impacts health outcomes

20:45 Covid Update: new study on Black women’s high mortality rates, plus Covid risks for pregnant people

23:52 Sylvia Lambe shares the story of Dr Justina Ford, a Black doctor who delivered 7,000 babies at her home in Denver

30:21 Sippin’ the Political Tea: the state of migrants at the Mexican border, and immigration reform from the Biden-Harris administration