Health Advocacy
"Black mothers are at increased risk for preterm birth and delivering a low birthweight infant and have lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration than do white and Hispanic mothers."
Our Partners in Health Advocacy
We dismantle structural barriers. The Amandla Group works with organizations that address the social and political determinants of health that directly impact the health of Black birthing people.
What is the root cause of this inequity? Is there a public policy that needs to change? Is public education needed on the issue? Not only do we find out, but we unite together in cross-sector collaborations to advance social justice and to dismantle structural racism that is killing Black birthing people. The Amandla Group serves for-profit and nonprofit organizations. We address the root cause and advocate for real change to eradicate the inequities.
Women with a Vision (WWAV) works to improve the lives of marginalized women, their families, and communities by addressing the social conditions that hinder their health and well-being. They accomplish this through relentless advocacy, health education, supportive services, and community-based participatory research. WWAV holds work on gender, criminalization of women and empowerment of women of color at our Table.
Partner Updates
Black Maternal Health Week
We want to send a special highlight to The AmandLa Group and Frankie Robertson for leading the advocacy efforts in the Black Maternal Health realm.
This past session The AmandLa Group and Partners prioritized Black Maternal Health with three wins!
HB 272: Authorizes private insurance coverage for doula support maternity services.
SB 135: Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for licensed midwives and certified nurse midwives.
SR 136: Urges and requests the LA Department of Health to assist in developing a public service campaign to foster awareness & education on perinatal mental health care.
Attention Shreveport Casino Workers: We want to hear from you about your health
The smoke-free ordinance was successfully passed in August 2020 and received overwhelming support from constituents and hospitality workers. To repeal this law is to ignore the needs of workers and constituents who deserve to return to their workplaces and businesses they support in a way that will keep them healthy. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, we need to make it easier for people to work and support businesses without the proven harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Do not repeal the smoke-free ordinance. Shreveport deserves a smoke-free recovery. We need your help letting the Shreveport City Council know that casino workers need a smoke-free environment. We believe your personal experience and testimony are the most important and crucial to keep the Shreveport City Council from repealing the Smoke-Free Air Act.