Why We Need More Midwives of Color

Systematic racism plays a central role in health disparities. Increasing diversity in midwifery is instrumental in reducing bias in maternal healthcare because midwifery is relationship-based care. The midwifery model of care focuses on intentional and intimate relationships between providers and patients to achieve the best possible health outcomes.

Black midwives make up only 7% of the total Certified Nurse-Midwives/Certified Midwives in the US. Increasing the number of Black midwives can help to dismantle the vices that lead to high maternal death rates and negative health outcomes in the Black community. HBCUs would enable Black student midwives to learn, grow, and develop in an educational culture that supports, understands, and positively positions future leaders in midwifery and maternal health for sustainable success. Ultimately, educating midwives of color at HBCUs to provide care to BIPOC communities can begin to improve maternal-child outcomes. 

ACNM in partnership with the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) is hosting information-packed sessions with panels of expert midwifery educators and leaders providing in-depth knowledge on the importance of midwives and how to start a midwifery education program.

To register for our next session How to Start a Midwifery Program at an HBCU, please press the button below