With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the battleground for abortion access now shifts to the states, even as the U.S. faces the worst maternal mortality rates among all rich nations, with Black maternal mortality three to four times higher than the national average. Now a new documentary examines the crisis of Black maternal mortality through the families of two young Black women who died after giving birth. “Aftershock” is co-directed by Tonya Lewis Lee and Paula Eiselt. They join us to discuss how Black women navigate a healthcare system built against them and efforts underway to reduce racial disparities. “We know that Black women’s and infants’ health is the marker of the nation's health,” notes Lee. “In a system that puts profit over people, doesn’t listen and center birthing people already, Black women are even more affected by this due to the systemic racism ingrained into our system,” adds Eiselt.

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“Aftershock” Black maternal mortality Black women Healthcare System Paula Eiselt rich nations Roe V. Wade Tonya Lewis Lee U.S.