Despite continued efforts to improve maternity and perinatal outcomes, significant inequalities persist. Black women in the UK remain almost three times as likely as White women to die during pregnancy or within the year after birth¹, with many describing experiences of not being listened to, having their concerns dismissed, or feeling excluded from decisions about their care².

These challenges extend beyond pregnancy and birth. The need for high-quality, personalised support continues throughout the first year of a child's life, making the role of health visitors particularly important in identifying concerns early, building trusting relationships and connecting families with appropriate services and support.

Moving from awareness to action

The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) has launched a powerful new animation, Promoting Care Across Cultures, designed to raise awareness of the inequalities experienced by Black women and their babies and inspire action across health and care services. Funded by The Burdett Trust for Nursing and informed by the voices and lived experiences of Black women, stakeholders and partners, the animation aims to encourage reflection, learning and meaningful action across services.

Improving experiences and outcomes requires more than recognising that inequalities exist. It means listening to Black women, understanding their diverse experiences, and ensuring that services are designed and delivered in ways that are respectful, culturally responsive and challenge racism and bias - through action both at a practitioner and organisational level.

Watch the new animation below:

Supporting learning, leadership and change

Watch, share and start the conversation

iHV is encouraging services and teams to watch and share the Promoting Care Across Cultures animation, use it as a catalyst for discussion, and consider what actions can be taken locally to improve experiences and outcomes for Black women and their families.

By listening to women's voices, reflecting on current practice and committing to culturally responsive care, health visitors and their partners can play a vital role in reducing inequalities and strengthening support for families.

iHV supports practitioners to lead change - developing the skills to deliver equitable services and equipping practitioners as place-based leaders to improve care across cultures.

iHV Promoting Care Across Cultures: Culturally Responsive Care for Black Women Ambassador Training Programme

With acknowledgement and thanks to our partners and stakeholders who played a central role in the development of the Promoting Care Across Cultures animation and Ambassador training: 

• Anita Banerjee, Obstetric Physician, Consultant Physician in Diabetes and Endocrinology & General Internal Medicine - Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
• Arnie Puntis, Research and Policy Manager - NHS Race and Health Observatory
• Gayathri Delanerolle, Researcher and Charted Scientist – The Digital Evidence Based Medicine Lab
• Jamie D Brooks, Senior Engagement Lead - The Motherhood Group
• Jen MacLellan, Senior Qualitative Researcher - National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU),Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford
• Jolene Crosdale, Professional Development Coordinator for 0 -19 HCP – Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
• Monica Lakhanpaul, Professor of Integrated Community Child Health, Honorary Consultant Paediatrician Whittington NHS Trust - UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
• Ola Ugwu - Senior Programmes and Engagement Lead - The Motherhood Group
• Susan Ibuanokpe, Antenatal Educator, Maternal Health Advocate
• Sandra Igwe MBE, CEO - The Motherhood Group
• Susan Tatsinkou, Professional Lead - Children and Family Service, Quality Improvement Coach - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

References

1. Felker A, Patel R, Evans T, Knight M (Eds.) on behalf of MBRRACE-UK. Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care Compiled Report - Lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2022-24. Oxford: National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford 2026. [Accessed 29.10.2026]. Available from: https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/assets/downloads/mbrrace-uk/reports/maternal-report-2026/MBRRACE-UK%20Maternal%20MAIN%20Report%202026%20ONLINE%20v2.0.pdf 
2. House of Commons. Health and Social Care Committee. Black Maternal Health. Third Report of Session 2024-26. 2025. [Accessed 29.10.2026]. Available from: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmselect/cmhealth/895/report.html