Eliminating Barriers to Wellness for Black and Latine Women in ATL: A Community Conversation

In Georgia, non-Hispanic Black women are two times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than non-Hispanic whites. Furthermore, almost half (45.9 percent) of women of reproductive age who identify as Hispanic or Latina are uninsured in Georgia. Health and systematic disparities such as those seen in cancer, diabetes, and food insecurity mirror disparities seen in pregnancy-related outcomes and health insurance access for Black and Latine women in Atlanta.  Legacies of institutionalized and systematic racism and bias compound this problem. CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, in partnership with community-focused provider groups, is working to implement programmatic efforts in Atlanta to reduce social and systematic barriers to wellness for Black and Latine women. In this vein, CHC is hosting an invitational Community Discussion featuring key partner organizations, community members with lived experiences, community health advocates, CHC’s Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders in this space. This discussion will center the needs and concerns in the Atlanta community on women’s health issues and outcomes and the social and systematic barriers that drive these inequities and adverse health outcomes.  We will also explore what is currently being done to eliminate social and systematic barriers, and where sustained work and support are needed.    

Objectives: Engage in interactive conversation with Black and Latine community members, health advocates, key stakeholders, and providers in Atlanta Metro area to:  

1. Gain relevant insight into the overall health landscape and experiences of Black and Latine women in Atlanta.  
2. Share current efforts to address the social and systematic inequities being experienced by Black and Latine women in Atlanta. 
3. Identify and name the levels and types of systemic change needed, for advancing improvements in health outcomes for Black, Latine, and historically marginalized communities.