NC screening WRAL Documentary 'Critical Term' for Black Maternal Health Week
The state Department of Health and Human Services is holding a special screening of the WRAL Documentary “Critical Term: Why are Black mothers and babies dying” during Black Maternal Health Week.
Black mothers are twice more likely to die in childbirth than white mothers in North Carolina. "Critical Term" examines the maternal and infant crisis and steps being taken to address the situation.
On Thursday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m., "Critical Term" will be screened at the Creedmoor Community Center at 108 East Wilton Ave. There will be a drawing for door prizes for attendees.
A statewide virtual screening will be held Monday, April 17, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Register in advance.
WRAL Investigative Documentary reporter and producer Cristin Severance and WRAL anchor and reporter Julian Grace set out to understand why this is happening in the Black community. Their investigation uncovered startling instances of systemic racism leading to misconceptions about Black women and myths about their pain tolerance still taught to healthcare providers in the modern era.
The maternal death rate in the U.S. is higher than all other wealthy countries. North Carolina ranks as the 10th worst state for infant deaths.
“As a longtime investigative reporter and mom of twins, I was aware this was a problem. But I had no idea it was this bad until we started digging into the numbers,” Severance said.
Severance teamed up with Grace, a father of four, to tell this important story.
“My wife and I have been through this four times," said Grace. "But I just didn’t realize the information that was out there and what women go through each day. Specifically, women who look like my wife."
