Interview with Kelsie LaFontaine on Maternal Health

Holistic healers are vital for several reasons. One is, that America’s traditional healthcare system holds a harmful and oppressive past concerning Black women’s maternal health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are almost three times more likely to experience maternal mortality compared to white women. African Americans and Native Americans also have the highest infant mortality rates.

From 2018-2021, Black birthing women led with the highest maternal mortality rate, and Louisiana is one of the leading states. “Racial disparities exist… Many of the deaths were potentially preventable,” according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Factors like lack of access to equitable healthcare, the lack of culturally competent healthcare workers, and environmental and medical racism create harm.

In addition, mortality rates for all women have risen year over year, with women between the ages of 25-39 facing the highest maternal mortalities.

With the concerns of the anti-rights agenda against gender equality, reproductive rights, and access to health care, holistic healers are historically and presently important.

The Black Wall Street Times interviewed Kelsie LaFontaine, a Louisiana Creole certified family Birth Doula and holistic healer, about community health, maternal health, and her journey as a multi-faceted business owner of Perspectives Appeal.