U.S. Olympic legend Allyson Felix has spoken out, emphasizing the necessity for higher maternity take care of black girls in America to make sure that the loss of life of her former teammate Tori Bowie is just not in useless. Bowie tragically died on the age of 32 final month because of problems throughout childbirth.
In an article for Time Journal, Felix, a seven-time Olympic champion, expressed her concern, saying, “Three gold medalists from that 4x100m relay crew in Rio got down to turn into moms. All three of us, all Black girls, had severe problems. Tori handed away. We’re coping with a Black maternal well being disaster. We now have three Olympic champions, and we’re nonetheless in danger.”
In 2018, Felix gave beginning prematurely at 32 weeks, after being recognized with pre-eclampsia, a probably life-threatening being pregnant situation characterised by hypertension. Tianna Madison (previously Bartoletta), one other member of Felix and Bowie’s gold-medal-winning 4x100m relay crew, additionally revealed that she confronted a near-death expertise throughout childbirth, after going into labour at 26 weeks.
Felix introduced consideration to information from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) in 2021, which confirmed that the maternal mortality charge for Black girls within the U.S. is 2.6 instances larger than that for white girls. Equally, a 2021 examine by the College of Oxford demonstrated that Black girls in Britain had been 4 instances extra prone to die throughout being pregnant and childbirth than white girls.
Underlining the urgency of the scenario, Felix acknowledged, “There must be a change, now, particularly in gentle of Tori’s tragic passing.” Felix additionally talked about celebrities Serena Williams and Beyonce, each of whom had near-death problems throughout being pregnant. “I hate that it takes Tori’s scenario to convey consideration to this subject,” writes Felix. “However typically, it serves as a wake-up name.”
Expressing her concern about having extra kids, Felix referred to as on the medical group to deal with the challenges confronted by Black girls. “Docs have to have conversations with pregnant Black girls and educate them concerning the indicators to search for throughout being pregnant,” writes Felix. “We’re at a higher threat of experiencing these problems.”
Regardless of the challenges, Felix stays hopeful that “issues can get higher.” She expressed her hope that Bowie’s loss of life will lead to much-needed modifications to well being take care of Black girls.
