The Stories Behind the Statistics | Afiya Amesu | TEDxNorthwich

Summary

The speaker reflects on her initial naivety about the universality of happy family experiences, contrasting it with the stark reality of racial disparities in maternal health care exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. She shares the tragic story of Mary Akua Agyapong, a pregnant nurse who died from the virus, to underscore the urgency of addressing systemic injustices. The talk calls for looking beyond statistics to humanize data, advocating for societal change through empathy and action.

Takeaways

• 👶 The speaker fondly recalls the birth of her younger brother, Adam, and the joy it brought to her family.
• 🏥 The initial impression of her brother's health and appearance was a shock, highlighting the unexpected moments in life.
• 🌟 The speaker's early belief that childbirth and family life are universally positive and straightforward is challenged by reality.
• 😷 The COVID-19 pandemic exposed stark racial disparities in health outcomes, particularly affecting black and Asian women more severely.
• 🤰 Black women were found to be at a significantly higher risk of hospitalization and death during childbirth compared to white women.
• 📊 The pandemic did not create these issues but rather brought them to light, emphasizing the pre-existing systemic problems.
• 🏥 The story of Mary Akua Agyapong, a pregnant nurse who died from COVID-19, underscores the personal tragedies behind the statistics.
• 📚 The speaker's research into maternal health care disparities led her to specialize in employment and personal injury law, aiming to address injustices.
• 💪 Historical and contemporary figures like Jane Addams, Bryan Stevenson, and Eloise Edwards were moved by personal and community stories to effect change.
• 🌈 The speaker advocates for looking beyond statistics to the individual stories they represent, as a means to drive compassion and societal improvement.

Q & A

What significant event occurred in the speaker's family when she was ten years old?

The significant event was the birth of the speaker's youngest brother, Adam.

How did the speaker initially perceive her brother Adam when she first saw him at the hospital?

She initially thought her brother had been swapped with another baby because he was very pale and looked nothing like the rest of the family.

What misconception did the speaker have about childbirth and the experiences of families?

The speaker believed that childbirth was a straightforward process where families could go to the hospital, deliver the baby, and then head home with the new baby to start their new life together.

What realization about her naivety did the speaker have during the early days of the pandemic?

She realized that black and Asian people, and particularly women from those communities, were disproportionately affected by Covid-19, with a higher likelihood of hospitalization and death during childbirth.

What percentage of women admitted to hospital during March and April of 2020 were from black or minority backgrounds?

55% of women admitted to hospital who were pregnant were black or from minority backgrounds.

How many times more likely were black women to be hospitalized with Covid-19 when pregnant, according to the speaker's research?

Black women were eight times more likely to be hospitalized with Covid-19 when pregnant.

What was the role of Mary Akua Agyapong, and how did she tragically pass away?

Mary Akua Agyapong was a nurse who worked in Luton and Dunstable NHS Trust. She tragically passed away at the age of 28 after contracting Covid-19 while pregnant and working on the front line.

What was the speaker's response to learning about the disparities in maternal health care?

The speaker was deeply moved and felt compelled to undertake master’s research into solutions to bridge the gaps in maternal health care, which led her to specialize in employment and personal injury law.

How does the speaker suggest we should approach statistics?

The speaker suggests that we should look beyond the statistics and find the story behind the numbers to add depth, insight, and human connection.

What examples does the speaker provide of individuals who were moved by stories to make societal changes?

The speaker mentions Jane Addams, who co-founded Hull House; Bryan Stevenson, a civil rights lawyer and activist; and Eloise Edwards, who co-founded the Black Women’s Mutual Aid Organization.

What is the speaker's final message regarding the power of stories compared to statistics?

The speaker's final message is that while statistics are useful, stories are powerful and can inspire compassion, leading to a fairer and more equal society.