Majority of Native American Women Experience Poor Heart Health Before Pregnancy
American Indian and Alaska Native women of childbearing age are at heightened risk for heart disease, the American Heart Association warned May 31 — and high rates of trauma and violence increase that risk even further. The majority of these women already have heart problems when they become pregnant. Violence and traumatic childhood experiences put these women at further risk. Structural racism and barriers that lead to poor prenatal health care, unhealthy diets and other risk factors must be addressed to help these women. The committee recommends increasing access to mental health services, the use of Native women’s personal stories in developing prevention and treatment programs, and more screening in pregnancy and culturally sensitive care.