Advancing Equity for Birthing Families: A Public Town Hall

Throughout history, data have reflected striking inequities in maternal health in the United States, with Black and Native individuals experiencing the worst outcomes, even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. A new coalition being launched in the coming months is seeking to change that. On September 28, TBF hosted a town hall-style forum in partnership with Vital Village Networks, Ariadne Labs and the Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University on the critical need for equitable, coordinated, and supporting care for parents and families - and a new idea to address it.

At Advancing Equity for Birthing Families: A Public Town Hall, representatives of community members, public sector organizations, and community-based organizations shared their first-hand experiences with inequities in the current system, and their cooperative effort to design an approach of more equitable care. The coalition, bringing together organizations across sectors and uplifting community voices and needs, aims to transform the support structures needed for families to welcome little ones into their lives.

The event opened with a series of statements and presentations, followed by a panel discussion featuring Renée Boynton-Jarrett, founder of Vital Village Networks and two experienced birthing care practitioners, sharing their stories and their ideas for how this coalition could provide a new direction for equitable, human-centered birthing care in Greater Boston and beyond.

The full agenda is below.

Event Agenda

Welcome & Opening Remarks
Danubia Camargos Silva, Early Childhood Program Officer, The Boston Foundation

Maternal Health Scope and Overview
Ronda Alexander, Director of National Partnerships, Vital Village Networks
Renée Boynton-Jarrett, MD, ScD, Founding Director, Vital Village Network
Dolores Cox, Community Member, Lactation Consultant, Vital Village Peer Counselor
Rose Molina, MD, MPH, Core Faculty, Ariadne Labs; OBGYN, The Dimock Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
She-Tara Smith, Founder & Owner, The Birth Co. Education includes

Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A
Ronda Alexander, Director of National Partnerships, Vital Village Networks (Moderator)
Renée Boynton-Jarrett, MD, ScD, Founding Director, Vital Village Network
Dolores Cox, Community Member, Lactation Consultant, Vital Village Peer Counselor
She-Tara Smith, Founder & Owner, The Birth Co. Education includes

Large Group Reflection
Ronda Alexander, Director of National Partnerships, Vital Village Networks (Moderator)

Reconvene & Closing Remarks
Danubia Camargos Silva, Early Childhood Program Officer, The Boston Foundation