The American Dream: Stories of Maternal Health Care
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any industrialized country in the world.
More than two women die every day in the U.S. from pregnancy-related causes. And while the vast majority of countries have reduced their maternal mortality rates, for the past 25 years the number of women lost during pregnancy, birth, or postpartum has increased dramatically in the U.S.
African-American women in the U.S. are at especially high risk; they are nearly four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications compared to European American women. Women of color are less likely to go into pregnancy in good health because of a lack of access to primary health care services. They are also less likely to have access to adequate maternal health care services.
Through the documentary the AMERICAN dream, women tell their stories and share their experiences with maternal health care in the U.S.
*The AMERICAN dream documentary film is from italian documentary photographer and filmmaker Paolo Patruno. This film is part of his personal project Birth is a dream focused on maternal health in Africa, which he later extended to developed/industrialized countries.
Joanne is 32 years old, mother of 5 children and pregnant with the sixth. After first three deliveries at the hospital, she decided to give birth at a birth center. Orlando, Florida. 2015
“I feel different races have different options” Joanne Orlando, Florida.
“I define the American Dream as using what you have to not just benefit yourself but to benefit the community you’re in” April Orlando, Florida. 2015
“Women in this country have very little opportunity to speak and to be heard.” Jennie Joseph. Orlando, Florida. 2015
April, 29 years old, is waiting for her second child. She is a teacher. Orlando, Florida.
“As a woman of color, the American dream is a myth” Julieta Orlando, Florida. 2015
“It shouldn’t matter what type of insurance you have you should be treated with the same care” Alexis Orlando, Florida. 2015
Miracle, 21 years old, is waiting her first child. Orlando, Florida.
“I want a natural birth because I feel that can bring me closer to my baby” Miracle Orlando, Florida. 2015
Hello,
I am a law student at Duke University School of Law. I am a board member of our If/When/How club, which works to further reproductive justice. We would love to put on a speaker’s event with the team behind The American Dream documentary. Could you put me in contact with the producers?
Thank you!
Hi Grace, Thank you for reaching out. You should contact documentary filmmaker Paolo Patruno at info@paolopatrunophoto.org.
Best,
The WAF team