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Join us for a special episode dedicated to Black Maternal Health Week. Our very first two episodes brought light to the critical issues surrounding Black Maternal Health. Today what has changed? On this episode we explore initiatives and advocacy efforts aimed at promoting equity in maternal care. Tune in for an empowering conversation with actionable steps toward a future where all mothers receive the support and care they deserve.

In this informative podcast episode, we shine a spotlight on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common yet often misunderstood health condition affecting many women. Dr. Carine-Ange Tagni shares valuable insights on PCOS such as its symptoms, and the various ways to manage and cope with this condition. From lifestyle changes to medical interventions, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to empower women in taking control of their health and well-being. Join us for a conversation that aims to raise awareness, foster understanding, and offer practical tips for those navigating the complexities of PCOS.

In the whirlwind of the postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester, lasting from birth to 12 weeks postpartum, there's undoubtedly immense joy. However, this stage can also bring forth a host of unexpected changes in a woman's body that often remain unspoken.⁣
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From issues like urine leakage to challenges in sexual intimacy, pelvic floor concerns often lurk in the shadows.
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Join us in this episode as we delve into the world of the fourth trimester, specifically shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked topic of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction.⁣
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The presence of a Doula during pregnancy, labor and delivery promotes better communication between medical providers and patients. It offers practical and emotional support to empower patients during their pregnancy and birth journey. On this episode, Krystal Reese, doula, midwifery student, and owner of Wild Birth Partum Care, joins us to talk about how she teaches patients to be better self advocates.

Minorities have many reasons not to trust the medical system. There has been a long history of oppression and broken violations of trust and dignity. ⁣
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Research shows that patient activation, or self advocacy can reduce the effects of implicit bias on the doctor–patient interaction.⁣
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On this episode we talk about how to advocate for yourself and what to do when you can’t.

On this episode Dr. Carine-Ange Tagni discusses the difficulties she faced when returning to work after giving birth to her daughter. She discusses her transformative journey while providing some advice on how to balance motherhood and professional life.

Join us in this open and honest conversation discussing professional burnout. Dr. Chowa, shares her own experiences and insights, guiding us through the process of navigating new life chapters with resilience and grace. ⁣

On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court officially reversed Roe v. Wade declaring that the constitutional right to abortion upheld for nearly a half century, no longer exists. What does this mean for you?! Join us as we break down this historic decision.

Many women of color find it challenging to engage and maintain breastfeeding due many social, financial, educational and even historical barriers. Black women have the lowest breastfeeding initiation rate of all racial groups at 69.4 percent, compared with 85.9 percent of white women, and 83.2 percent of women overall. On this episode we delve into the socioeconomic barriers preventing breastfeeding amongst women of color, while sharing our own personal experiences.

Recent studies have estimated that medical errors are the 3rd leading cause of death in the US. Unfortunately, racial and ethnic minorities who receive inferior medical treatment are often subjected to higher rates of preventable medical errors. ⁣⁣
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If not properly mitigated by open communication, the impact of medical errors can lead to erosion of trust between health care providers and their patients. ⁣⁣
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Dr. Veronica Jarido, a board certified gastroenterologist, joins us on this episode to talk about her own story with the healthcare system. She discusses the lack of communication surrounding her father's medical treatment and how a medical error ultimately took his life.

COVID-19 has been devastating to the black community. More than half of the in-hospital deaths due to cover -19 are African Americans. Most recently, the FDA granted emergency approval for the COVID 19 vaccine. To date 2.8 million people have been vaccinated. ⁣
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According to a recent kaiser family foundation survey, only 50% of black Americans compared with 65% of white Americans would definitely or probably get the COVID -19 vaccine. Hesitancy to consider vaccination is attributed to historic injustices and ongoing systemic racism that has eroded the trust in communities of color.⁣
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Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is your choice. We hope that you can make a well informed decision after listening to this episode.

In 2015, African-American women made up more than 61% of new HIV infections. 13- 24 year olds are the most rapid rising age group with new HIV cases in America. Among other reasons, social determinants of health like poverty, unequal access to health care, lack of education, stigma, and racism are linked to these health disparities. On this episode, Dr. Mirnouve joins us for the conversation. She is an internal medicine Physician with special interest in health disparities and HIV.⁣
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*This episode was created in 2019 and never published because we were clueless about editing. However, we have managed to clean it up some and drop this gem we have been hanging on to for so long. Our audio and interview style have definitely evolved since then*. ⁣
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Do Enjoy!

On this episode we invite Thamicha Isaac to the Mic!⁣
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Thamicha Isaac is an openly positive HIV Activist and founder of Miizmicha’s World Empowerment. Thamicha is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding HIV and empowers individuals living with HIV. She spends her time bringing awareness and HIV education to communities worldwide. ⁣
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In honor of World AIDS day, Thamicha joins us to talk about her experience living with HIV and how she uses her story to inspire others.

On this episode, we invite Toshia to share her story. At the age of 29, Toshia was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. With no family history of breast cancer, this diagnosis came as a surprise. Several years later Toshia is cancer free! She is married, is a mother and is using her story to raise breast cancer awareness in the community.

Approximately 4.2 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at some point during their lifetime. ⁣
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African-Americans are more likely to develop colorectal cancer at a younger age and to be at a more advanced stage when diagnosed. According to the National Cancer Institute, even when African-Americans are diagnosed with early stage disease, they have significantly worse survival rates.⁣
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On this episode, Dr. Akwi Asombang, an Interventional Gastroenterologist , joins us to discuss colon cancer in our community.

Have you checked in with yourself lately? Life is difficult right now, but we are all in this together. Join us as we pause, check our pulse and discuss wellness.

We often need to hear the stories of other women to know that we are not alone; to know that there is hope. And in sharing her story, Donna is helping to break the taboo around Infertility in our community. Listen to her journey with infertility and how In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) helped her conceive.

Discrimination on the basis of race represents a form of chronic psychological stress that historically has disproportionately affected blacks and contributes to the high mortality rates they face. Failure to confront racism within the medical profession has implications for the patients we serve. On this episode we share our own experiences as physicians of color and talk about how racism is woven in our healthcare system.

Among COVID-19 deaths for which race and ethnicity data were available, death rates among Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos were substantially higher than that of white or Asian persons. The reasons are multifactorial. On this episode, we have Guest Physician and Public Health worker Dr. Mirnouve Dumond join us in the conversation. We discuss contributing factors such as living conditions, pre existing medical conditions, racism, stigma and more.

On this Episode Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite, a Board Certified Adult and Children Psychiatrist joins the conversation. She has devoted a substantial amount of her medical career to educating the medical and lay community about disparities in mental health, creating cultural formulations and confronting biases. Together we discuss the Impact on COVID-19 on those with pre existing mental health disorders, children, mothers, and lastly our African American community. ⁣⁣
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We dedicate this episode to the lovely memory of Nomfundo Dlamini (January 15th 1973-April 18th 2020).

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic (which means prevalent all over the world).Since then greater than 300,000 confirmed cases have been reported in about 150 countries and death tolls top 14,000. As of today March 20th, a total of 15,219 COVID-19 cases had been reported in the United States, with reports increasing to 500 or more cases per day beginning March 14. Total deaths: 201. Among those infected, the highest incidence is among those aged 45 and older. Pregnant women have now been added to the high risk category, but what does this mean? Mothers have several questions. On this episode we discuss many questions mothers have regarding COVID, their pregnancy and their infant.

The doctor may have cleared you for sex at your postpartum visit, but you may have found it difficult to re-engage in sexual intercourse. You are not alone! New parents often report challenges with sex and intimacy. Sleepless nights, hormonal fluctuations, and physical changes are contributing factors. On this episode we discuss common questions that women have in regards to sex in the postpartum period.

Studies suggest that after 1 year of having unprotected sex, 1 in 8 couples are unable to conceive. On this episode we invited Dr. Ndeye-Aicha Gueye to join us on the show. She is an OB/GYN and REI ( Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility ) Specialist who helps couples conceive. Join the conversation as we review the causes of infertility and discuss the different options women have in building their families.

In this episode, we discuss Infertility in the black community. Black women are twice as likely to experience infertility than white women. Unfortunately, there is a deep rooted belief that black women do not have infertility issues. This creates silence around a very important topic.
Join us as we break the silence around the topic and explore the social and cultural barriers associated with the disease.

October is international breast cancer awareness month!

Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

Did you know that on average a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 2 mins in the United States?

Did you know that 60-70% of people with breast cancer have no risk factors at all!?

Did you know breast cancer mortality is 40% higher in African Americans?

Join us on Hey Doc Let’s Chat as we delve into the topic of Breast Cancer and what we need to know!

"The Strong Black woman or superwoman stereotype reflects a woman who is constantly juggling multiple tasks and helping to provide for her family...but at the expense of her own self care and needs." says Dr Amber A. Hewitt a psychologist and specialist in gendered racial socialization.
Black mothers are suffering in silence because of this stereotype!
Studies show that new mothers of color have rates of postpartum depression soaring close to 38% compared with the 13 – 19% rate for all new mothers. Join us as we share personal experiences and open the dialogue on this very important topic in mental health.

In this episode, we discuss pregnancy related conditions that affect black women the most, with a strong emphasis on Preeclampsia. We briefly discuss the signs and symptoms associated with these conditions.

Welcome to "Hey Doc Lets Chat." We are Drs. Chowa and Tagni. Listen to us discuss who we are and why we started this platform. The health care gap that exists for women of color is real. But this conversation is not as prevalent as it should be.