For Region 5 Members: Access to the Documentary “Laboring with Hope” to Improve Awareness of Maternal Health Disparities

Posted by Emily Hamstra on July 26th, 2023 Posted in: Equity Diversity Inclusion, Health Disparities, Health Equity, News from NNLM Region 5, Public Health
Tags: #BlackMaternalHealth, library programming, Maternal Health

---

The Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) Region 5 is continuing the opportunity for NNLM members in Region 5 to host a free viewing of the documentary, Laboring with Hope for their communities. Laboring with Hope is a 30-minute documentary on maternal morbidity and mortality among Black women. The film combines personal stories and expert perspectives to provide a call to action to implement, support, and uplift strategies to improve maternal health and birth outcomes. Going through pregnancy and delivery should be a joyful time and a safe experience. However, for many people of color this is often not the case. Black women have higher rates of complications, and according to the CDC, are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. By providing access to Laboring with Hope, Region 5 intends to improve awareness of maternal health disparities, and create opportunities to share reliable health information.

Region 5 began offering access to Laboring with Hope in January 2023, and is continuing to provide access through April 2024. Since January 2023, Region 5 members have hosted programs and discussions of the film in:

• health care settings among clinical staff, residents, and affinity groups
• public and academic libraries
• nursing courses

Consider hosting a viewing of the film and a discussion with your community or colleagues using the accompanying discussion guide, inviting a local expert to talk about maternal health in your community, or using the film to support a book discussion of a title from the NNLM Reading Club’s Black Maternal Health selections. There are no costs associated with this program opportunity for your organization, and all NNLM Region 5 members are welcome to submit a request to host a viewing of the film (we cannot honor requests from NNLM members outside of Region 5). After reviewing your request, we will send a program toolkit containing:

• a link to access and stream Laboring with Hope
• a discussion guide created by the producer
• infographics provided by the producer
• a bibliography of scholarly articles on maternal health disparities
• a customizable handout with health information resources on maternal health for your community

Submit your request to host an in-person or virtual viewing of Laboring with Hope at your library or organization.

Requests to host a viewing of the film will be accepted on an on-going basis through April 15, 2024. Access to the film is available through April 30, 2024. Region 5 members who show the film will be asked to submit a brief report on their event by April 30, 2024.

Laboring with Hope was produced by Six Dimensions, whose owner and CEO, Dr. Nakeitra L. Burse, presented the webinar “Storytelling as a Public Health Strategy to Address Inequities in Maternal Health Outcomes” as part of the PNC-MLA Health Equity and Diversity Speaker Series. Region 5 is offering access to Laboring with Hope in response to interest expressed by attendees during Dr. Burse’s well-received webinar. More information about Laboring with Hope, including a trailer, is available from the producer.

Questions? Contact the Region 5 office, nnlm@uw.edu.