Rochelle Davidson Mhonde Champions Data-Driven Change at the Black Maternal Health Legislative Summit
At the inaugural Black Maternal Health Legislative Summit, hosted by the Virginia House of Delegates Speaker don Scott and Delegate Candi Mundon King, Rochelle Davidson Mhonde, assistant professor of Global and Community Health at George Mason’s College of Public Health, emerged as a pivotal voice. Invited as a panelist, she contributed to a critical discussion titled, “We Have the Data, Now What? Using Data and Statistics to Drive Policy Change.”
The summit, a groundbreaking initiative, brought together stakeholders—community-based organizations, healthcare providers, researchers, advocates, and legislators—to address the structural inequities driving maternal health disparities. Davidson Mhonde emphasized the importance of public health researchers in these gatherings, stating, “We can inform the necessary reforms and policy change with scientific evidence to support the community efforts that are advocating for equitable, respectful, and safe maternal care for Black mothers.”
The Data Behind the Crisis
According to the Virginia Department of Health, the maternal mortality rate for Black mothers in Virginia is more than double that of white mothers—38 per 100,000 compared to 14 per 100,000.This disparity mirrors a national crisis. Davidson Mhonde highlighted the root causes of these adverse outcomes,noting,“The discussion included the complex issue of identifying the root causes of adverse outcomes and inequitable treatment of Black women in maternal health care. This is set within the critical context of structural, social, and political determinants of health that created the disparities.”
The Maternal Health Strategic Plan for Virginia further underscores the systemic issues, revealing that Black women are “more likely to report experiencing discrimination or harassment due to their race/ethnicity or insurance or Medicaid status.”
Personal Stories, Powerful Impact
One of the most poignant moments of the summit was the testimonies of Black mothers who shared their near-death experiences. Davidson Mhonde reflected, “Their experiences brought depth to the statistics highlighted in the Maternal Health strategic Plan for Virginia.” These firsthand accounts underscored the urgent need for systemic change and humanized the data driving policy discussions.
A Vision for Equitable Maternal Care
Davidson Mhonde’s work extends beyond the summit. As a Health Equity scholar for Action, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, her research focuses on reducing sexual, reproductive, and maternal health inequities caused by racism and intersecting forms of oppression. She is also a co-investigator on a CPH Pilot Grant examining the intersections of access to reproductive care, maternal health outcomes, and HIV infection among Black women in the South.
Her teaching at George Mason’s College of Public Health includes community-engaged research methods and health equity theory, equipping the next generation of public health professionals to tackle these pressing issues.
Key takeaways from the Summit
| Key Issue | Data/Insight |
|————————————|———————————————————————————-|
| Maternal Mortality Rate (Black) | 38 per 100,000 |
| Maternal Mortality Rate (White) | 14 per 100,000 |
| Discrimination Reports | Black women more likely to report discrimination based on race/insurance status |
| State Commitment | Governors pledged to eliminate disparities starting in 2019 |
The Black maternal Health Legislative summit served as a catalyst for change,uniting diverse voices to address a crisis that has long been overlooked. With leaders like Rochelle Davidson Mhonde at the forefront,the path toward equitable maternal care is becoming clearer.
For more insights into Davidson Mhonde’s work,visit her George Mason University profile or explore the Maternal Health Strategic Plan for Virginia.
Dr. Rochelle Davidson Mhonde on Tackling Maternal Health Disparities in virginia
In an effort to combat the alarming maternal health disparities faced by Black women in Virginia, the inaugural Black maternal Health Legislative Summit brought together experts, advocates, and policymakers. Among the key voices was Dr. Rochelle Davidson Mhonde, an assistant professor of Global and Community Health at George Mason university, who shared insights on leveraging data to drive policy changes. In this interview, senior Editor of world-today-news.com sits down with Dr. Mhonde to explore the summit’s outcomes, the root causes of maternal health inequities, and the path forward for equitable care.
Understanding the Maternal Health Crisis in Virginia
Senior Editor: Dr. Mhonde, thank you for joining us. To start, could you provide an overview of the maternal health disparities in virginia that were highlighted at the summit?
Dr. rochelle Davidson Mhonde: absolutely. The data from the virginia Department of Health is sobering. Black mothers in Virginia face a maternal mortality rate of 38 per 100,000, which is more than double the rate of 14 per 100,000 for white mothers.This disparity reflects a national crisis and underscores the urgent need for systemic change. at the summit, we dug into the root causes, which include structural, social, and political determinants of health. Thes factors, combined with inequitable treatment in healthcare settings, have created a perfect storm of adverse outcomes for Black women.
The Role of Data in Driving Policy Change
Senior editor: The panel you participated in was titled, “We Have the Data, Now What?” Can you elaborate on how data can inform meaningful policy changes?
Dr. Mhonde: Data is critical because it provides the evidence needed to advocate for reforms. At the summit, we discussed how scientific research can support community efforts to achieve equitable, respectful, and safe maternal care. As an example, the Maternal Health Strategic Plan for Virginia highlights that Black women are more likely to report experiencing discrimination based on their race or insurance status. These findings are a call to action for policymakers to address systemic inequities. Data not only identifies the problem but also helps us measure the impact of interventions over time.
Personal Stories Humanizing the Data
Senior Editor: The summit also included testimonies from Black mothers. How did these stories influence the discussions?
Dr. Mhonde: The personal stories were incredibly powerful. Hearing firsthand accounts of near-death experiences brought depth to the statistics. These narratives humanized the data and underscored the urgent need for change. It’s one thing to see numbers on a page,but it’s another to hear a mother describe how she felt ignored or disrespected during a life-threatening situation. These testimonies remind us that behind every data point is a person whose life could be improved with better policies and care practices.
Addressing Structural Inequities
Senior Editor: Your work as a Health Equity Scholar for Action focuses on reducing health inequities caused by racism and intersecting forms of oppression. How does this intersect with maternal health?
Dr. Mhonde: My research examines how systemic racism and intersecting oppressions—such as gender, class, and healthcare access—impact sexual, reproductive, and maternal health outcomes. Such as, I’m currently involved in a study exploring the intersections of reproductive care access, maternal health outcomes, and HIV infection among Black women in the South. These issues are deeply interconnected, and addressing them requires a extensive approach that tackles the structural and social determinants of health.
The Path Forward for Equitable Maternal Care
Senior Editor: What are the next steps for Virginia and beyond in ensuring equitable maternal care for Black women?
Dr. Mhonde: the summit was a meaningful step forward, but there’s much more to be done. Policymakers need to commit to sustained action, as outlined in the Maternal Health Strategic Plan. This includes addressing systemic biases in healthcare,improving access to quality care,and fostering community partnerships. Education and advocacy are also crucial.At George Mason University, I teach community-engaged research methods and health equity theory to equip the next generation of public health professionals with the tools to tackle these issues.Ultimately, collaboration across sectors—healthcare, research, advocacy, and policy—is essential to create lasting change.
Key Takeaways from the Summit
Senior Editor: For those who couldn’t attend, what would you say are the most significant insights from the summit?
Dr. Mhonde: The summit highlighted the stark disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women and the urgent need for systemic change. Key takeaways include the importance of using data to inform policy, amplifying the voices of those directly affected, and addressing the root causes of inequities. The summit also reinforced the value of collaboration among diverse stakeholders to create a more equitable healthcare system. it’s a collective effort, and everyone has a role to play in ensuring that Black mothers receive the care and respect they deserve.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Mhonde, for sharing your expertise and insights. It’s clear that addressing maternal health disparities requires a multifaceted approach, and your work is paving the way for meaningful change.