Why Black Child Clean Air?

Did you know that Black women in the UK face alarming risks during pregnancy?

Black women are nearly four times more likely to die during childbirth compared to white women. That's not all – Black women also have a higher incidence of pre-term birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth, which are heart-breaking tragedies that no parent should endure. These statistics demand our attention and immediate action.

But what does air pollution have to do with all of this?

Well, it turns out that environmental factors play a crucial role. For example, Black Londoners are three times more likely to breathe in illegal levels of air pollution. And guess what? This worsens the risks for expectant mothers, making their journey even more perilous. Astonishingly, living in areas with high pollution levels doubles the likelihood of experiencing stillbirth, as well as increasing the risk of pre-term birth and miscarriage.

That's where our ground-breaking report comes in.

We have tailored it specifically to understand the attitudes, behaviours, and experiences of Black pregnant women and mothers regarding air pollution because their voices and experiences matter. We want to bring their stories to the forefront and start a dialogue about the pressing challenges they face concerning air pollution and maternal and child health. Currently, the environmental sector is one of the least diverse sectors, next to farming, which means that the very people at the forefront of environmental injustice are least likely to have their voices heard.

Air Pollution is a social justice AND racial justice issue

We understand that the current Black maternal health crisis is complex, with various factors perpetuating structural inequities. However, we cannot overlook the important role that the environment plays in causing and exacerbating current maternal health inequalities. By centering the voices and experiences of Black pregnant women and mothers, we aim to spark an inclusive and comprehensive conversation around clean air. Our goal is to address these urgent challenges head-on in a culturally sensitive and inclusive way, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable future for Black mothers and their children.

The Black Child Clean Air Day conference featured fantastic spoken word artist Jayda David.