Winston Salem Screening Focuses On Persistent Forsyth County Infant Mortality Disparities
Black babies in Forsyth County died at nearly three times the rate of white babies according to a five-year average tracked in 2010, and that ratio remained largely unchanged by 2024. The persistent gap in maternal and infant health outcomes forms the backdrop for a community documentary screening and discussion scheduled in Winston-Salem this weekend.
The Be Well Foundation, a local initiative dedicated to strengthening maternal health in Forsyth County, organized the weekend event to address disparities both inside and outside clinical settings. Connie McLendon Perry, a registered nurse and co-founder of the organization, points to enduring historical stereotypes as a primary driver of unequal medical treatment. She specifically highlights the false notion that Black patients possess a higher pain threshold than their white peers.
That is not true,
Perry said. That is not biologically true, and that comes from a historical construct that was passed down to us years and years ago during times of slavery. So we need to debunk those types of practices and myths in order to really change some of the care that we’re providing today.
Culturally Aligned Support Networks Across Forsyth County
To combat systemic inequities, the Be Well Foundation focuses on building trusted, community-led spaces where Black mothers and families can access culturally aligned wellness education and support throughout pregnancy and postpartum stages. Brianna Holland, co-founder and health education specialist, emphasized the necessity of holistic care models that extend beyond traditional doctor visits.
The organization delivers this support through its Be Well Maternal Network, which currently comprises five Black practitioners. This weekend’s program features a screening of the documentary High Risk: Black Mothers Protecting Themselves and Their Babies at the Central Library in Winston-Salem. Following the film, Holland and Perry will lead an open community conversation about maternal wellness, systemic barriers, and protective advocacy strategies for local families.