Essay: The Hidden Toll — Federal Rollbacks Threaten Black Women’s Health in California – Black Voice News

Report on the Potential Impact of Federal Funding Cuts on Black Women in California and the Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Proposed federal funding cuts to social programs pose a significant threat to the well-being of Black women in California, potentially reversing progress on several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report analyzes the downstream effects of these cuts on health, food security, and economic stability for this demographic, highlighting the direct conflict with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The analysis further examines state-level mitigation efforts and the crucial role of community organizations in upholding these global goals.

Analysis of Proposed Cuts and SDG Implications

Impact on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The proposed reductions in federal funding would disproportionately affect the health outcomes of Black women in California, exacerbating existing systemic inequities and directly undermining the objectives of SDG 3 and SDG 10. Black women in the state already face significant health disparities across a range of areas:

• Mental, maternal, and perinatal health
• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer
• Uterine fibroids
• Pregnancy-related mortality rates three to four times higher than those for White women, often linked to implicit bias in care.

A primary concern is the potential reduction in funding for Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), a program on which approximately one in three Black women and children in the state depend. Cuts to Medi-Cal could lead to a loss of access to essential services, including:

• Primary and preventative care
• Chronic disease management
• Reproductive and prenatal/postnatal services
• Mental health and substance-use treatment
• Cancer screenings

Such outcomes would magnify racial health disparities, directly contravening the mission of SDG 10 to reduce inequality within and among countries.

Impact on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

Nutrition assistance programs are critical for family health and are similarly endangered by proposed cuts, presenting a direct challenge to SDG 2. A substantial portion of the Black female population in California relies on these programs for food security.

• Nearly 50% of Black women in California receive support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
• 47% of Black women in California utilize CalFresh (SNAP) benefits.

Reductions in these programs would likely increase food insecurity, leading to malnutrition and adverse health outcomes, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum periods. This compromises both SDG 2 and SDG 3.

Impact on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The proposed cuts also threaten social determinants of health, including housing and income support, which are foundational to achieving SDG 1 and SDG 11. Any rollback of federal subsidies for housing, income, and childcare would compound existing pressures on Black women and families. The anticipated consequences include:

• Increased housing instability and risk of homelessness
• Heightened family stress and economic precarity
• Worsened health outcomes, including higher rates of hypertension and depression

Mitigating Actions and Alignment with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

State-Level Legislative and Policy Responses

California has initiated several measures to counteract the potential federal cuts and reinforce its commitment to health equity, aligning with the principles of SDG 5 and SDG 16.

1. Assembly Bill (AB) 2319: This law strengthens the Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act by expanding and enforcing implicit bias training for perinatal care providers. It establishes stronger institutional accountability, a key target of SDG 16, to address a critical issue of gender and racial inequality (SDG 5).
2. Food Security Measures: The state has mobilized $80 million in funds to support food banks, a direct action to mitigate food insecurity and uphold SDG 2.
3. Medi-Cal Protection: State-level actions are being taken to shore up Medi-Cal against federal cuts, demonstrating a commitment to SDG 3.

Role of Community Organizations

Community-based organizations, such as the California Black Women’s Health Project and Black Women for Wellness, are essential partners in achieving the SDGs. They perform critical functions that support the development of just and effective institutions (SDG 16) by:

• Advocating for culturally centered healthcare.
• Providing education and building infrastructure to mitigate harm.
• Documenting systemic failures and persistent biases in the healthcare system.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The proposed federal funding cuts represent a severe threat to the health, security, and equality of Black women in California, jeopardizing progress toward multiple Sustainable Development Goals. To counter these challenges and advance a vision of health justice, the following actions are recommended:

• Amplify and bolster the efforts of community organizations serving as advocates and watchdogs.
• Systematically document and share the lived experiences of those affected to inform policy and public awareness.
• Continue to advance state-level policies that protect essential services and promote equity.

By taking resolute and organized action, California can serve as a model for how to defend and advance public health and social equity, making a tangible contribution to the global Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article addresses this goal by discussing the potential cuts to federal social programs, including income supports and housing assistance, which serve as a critical safety net for vulnerable populations. The reliance of Black women on these programs to “stay afloat” directly connects to the goal of eradicating poverty.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • This goal is relevant due to the article’s focus on nutrition assistance programs like SNAP/CalFresh and WIC. It highlights the threat of food insecurity for Black women and their children, mentioning that cuts to these programs would “worsen food insecurity, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.”
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • This is a central theme of the article. It extensively discusses the health disparities faced by Black women, including higher rates of chronic diseases, lower life expectancy, and significantly higher maternal mortality rates. The potential loss of access to healthcare through Medi-Cal cuts directly impacts this goal.
4. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article specifically focuses on the unique and disproportionate challenges faced by Black women, highlighting the intersection of gender and racial discrimination. It discusses policies aimed at protecting women’s health during childbirth (Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act) and the advocacy work of organizations focused on Black women’s wellness, connecting directly to the empowerment and rights of women.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The core of the article is about the “deep systemic inequities” and “stark racial health disparities” affecting Black women in California. It contrasts the health outcomes of Black women with those of White women, particularly in maternal mortality, making a clear case for the need to reduce inequalities based on race and gender.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 1 (No Poverty)
   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all. The article’s discussion of proposed cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal), SNAP/CalFresh, WIC, and federal housing and income supports directly relates to this target, as these programs constitute the social protection system for vulnerable groups.
2. Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The article highlights the reliance of Black women on SNAP/CalFresh and WIC to prevent food insecurity.
   • Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition, particularly addressing the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women. The article explicitly mentions that cuts to WIC would worsen food insecurity “during pregnancy and postpartum” and that malnutrition can lead to “adverse birth outcomes.”
3. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
   • Target 3.1: Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio. The article’s most prominent statistic is that “Black women die from pregnancy-related causes at three to four times the rate of White women,” directly addressing this target.
   • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases. The text mentions the disproportionate burden of “chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and uterine fibroids” on Black women and the need for chronic disease management.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential health-care services. The threat of cuts to Medi-Cal, which provides access to “primary care, chronic disease management, reproductive care, mental health and substance-use treatment,” is a direct challenge to achieving this target.
4. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The article points to “implicit bias in maternity care” as a form of discrimination that leads to adverse health outcomes for Black women.
   • Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality. The mention of Assembly Bill AB 2319, which strengthens the “Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act” by enforcing implicit bias training, is a concrete example of such a policy.
5. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of race, sex, or other status. The entire article is a call to action to address the specific social and economic exclusion and health disparities faced by Black women.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome. The article’s focus on eliminating disparities in health outcomes, such as the maternal mortality rate, directly aligns with this target. It also mentions the need to address “systemic inequities” and “bias” that cause these unequal outcomes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Maternal Mortality Ratio (disaggregated by race):
   • The article explicitly states that “in California, Black women die from pregnancy-related causes at three to four times the rate of White women.” This statistic is a direct indicator for measuring progress on Target 3.1 and highlights the inequality addressed in Target 10.3.
2. Proportion of Population Covered by Social Protection Programs:
   • The article provides specific data points that serve as indicators for Target 1.3. These include: “about one in three Black women and children in California currently depend on Medi-Cal,” “Nearly half of Black women in California receive WIC,” and “47% percent use CalFresh.” These percentages measure the reach and importance of these safety nets.
3. Prevalence of Chronic Diseases (disaggregated by race/gender):
   • While not providing specific numbers, the article implies this indicator by stating that Black women face “higher rates of poor health overall” and bear a “disproportionate burden” of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. This relates to measuring progress on Target 3.4.
4. Implementation of Policies to Combat Discrimination:
   • The mention of Assembly Bill AB 2319, which expands and enforces “implicit bias training for providers in perinatal settings,” serves as a process indicator. The level of compliance and enforcement of this law can be used to measure progress towards Target 5.c and Target 10.3.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: blackvoicenews.com