The neonatal nurses of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) are dedicated to creating better outcomes for premature babies and their families. Statistics concerning the racially related health disparities for premature infants are sobering. For example, Black infants born prematurely in the United States have a higher mortality rate (35%) compared to their White counterparts (30%), and both Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) infants have higher rates of preterm births and low birth weights. These disparities are often linked to broader social and economic inequities, including access to prenatal care, maternal health conditions, and systemic racism.
Equity nursing matters, providing equitable care for everyone. NANN is dedicated to health and racial equity, which we have intentionally and thoughtfully included in our organizational strategic pillars. Use the links below to learn more and access resources to help you advance equity in the NICU.
NANN Recorded Sessions
Ethical Considerations at the Edge of Viability: Perspective is Everything
Building on the four principles of bioethics, Frank Xavier Placencia, MD MS, explores ethical considerations, with special attention to the principle of justice. In this general session from the 2020 NANN Annual Conference, he also explores how perspective influences how we view the “truths” of prematurity.
Racial Disparities in Birth Outcomes: Considering the Environment Outside of the Hospital Walls
In the United States, NICUs are disproportionately populated by non-Hispanic Black infants because of high preterm birth rates among Black women. In this session from NANN’s 2020 APRN Summit, Heather Herson Burris, MD, challenges all of us to move outside of our hospital walls to consider factors beyond the control of individual women—such as pollution and exposure to neighborhood violence—that together may contribute to unequal chances at a healthy term birth. Dr. Burris also discusses how a societal movement will be required to address inequity that starts before an infant even takes a breath.
NANN Position Statement
Racial Disparities in the NICU
This NANN position statement reviews racially related health disparitites for premature infants and offers nine recommendations to advance healthcare equality for all infants in the NICU regardless of race, culture, parental economic or educational status, or geographic area.
NANNcast Podcast Episode
Starting the Conversation: Racial Disparity in the NICU
NANNcast podcast host Jill Beck sits down with NANN President Joan Rikli to discuss data relating to racial and health disparity in the NICU, steps NANN is taking to address racial disparity, and how nurses can drive change in their NICUs. Jill and Joan are also joined by Nicole Dixon, nurse manager at Atrium Health, for an open, candid conversation on Nicole’s experience as an African-American NICU nurse. Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast streaming platform.
Editorial: Racial Disparities in NICUs: Not in My Unit?
Joan Rikli, then president of NANN, writes about racial inequalities in NICUs, including data on health disparities in neonates and what actions can be taken to promote positive outcomes. Read the full September 2019 Board Update.
External Resources on Health and Racial Equity
Advances in Neonatal Care: Becoming an Antiracist Neonatal Community
This journal article summarizes health inequities within the perinatal/neonatal population and offers strategies for initiating conversations and improving health equity by challenging bias and increasing diversity. Read the article.
