Healthy Hearts, Healthy Mothers Event Helps Attendees Strengthen Black Maternal Health in Southeastern San Diego

December 10, 2025

On December 3, 2025, State Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease hosted a luncheon in San Diego addressing severe health disparities affecting Black mothers and pregnant women. Healthcare experts and policy leaders discussed how chronic conditions like heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes disproportionately harm Black women due to systemic racism, inadequate healthcare access, and structural barriers rather than individual failings. The speakers presented research showing that Black women face maternal mortality rates over four times higher than other groups and experience major pregnancy complications at up to three times the rate, regardless of education or income level.

Who is affected

Black women and mothers in San Diego, particularly in Southeastern San Diego
Black families across the community
Black elderly community in the 92114 area code
Community members, grassroots organizers, and healthcare professionals who attended the luncheon
Antoinette Miles, an African-American woman intern with Serra Mesa Village of San Diego who has high blood pressure

What action is being taken

State Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease are hosting educational events like the "Healthy Hearts, Healthy Mothers" luncheon
Courtney Christian is leading work advancing health equity through clinical trial diversity, research, policy development, and expanding a diverse industry talent pipeline
Semise Daley is conducting ongoing dissertation research exploring how Superwoman Schema, Sociocultural Stress and Coping Experience, and Social Cognitive Model of Hypertension shape Black women's experiences with high blood pressure
Speakers are discussing and promoting targeted solutions including strengthening prenatal and postpartum care, expanding cardiovascular screenings, and addressing the "Strong Black Woman" schema

Why it matters

This issue is significant because Black women experience maternal mortality rates more than four times higher than other populations and face nearly every major maternal morbidity condition at rates up to three times higher, even when controlling for education and income. These disparities are rooted in systemic racism and structural inequities rather than individual factors, meaning they can be addressed through policy and system changes. The health impacts extend beyond pregnancy, affecting Black women before conception and long into the postpartum period, with chronic conditions like heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes creating cumulative health burdens that threaten entire communities. As Dr. Cené emphasized, when Black women thrive, entire communities benefit, making this a broader social justice and public health imperative.

What's next

Antoinette Miles aims to create a village modeled after Serra Mesa Village of San Diego in the 92114 area code by 2026 to support the Black elderly community medically, socially, emotionally, and across generations
Speakers identified targeted solutions to implement: strengthening prenatal and postpartum care, expanding cardiovascular screenings, addressing the "Strong Black Woman" schema that prevents women from seeking support, increasing diversity in clinical trials and medical research, and expanding the pipeline of culturally competent healthcare providers

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint