Maternal & Infant Health Researcher; Associate Professor at University of Kansas School of Medicine; Founder of Kansas Birth Equity Network
Sharla Smith, PhD Biography
Dr. Sharla Smith is a health services researcher and public health advocate focused on eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant health. Smith serves as an associate professor in the Department of Population Health and director of Birth Equity in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Kansas School of Medical Center-Kansas City. Smith holds an undergraduate degree in biology from University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a Master of Public Health in health policy and management, and a Doctor of Philosophy in health services and systems research from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Smith has worked in public health since 2006, combining academic research with community engagement.
Smith's research addresses maternal and infant health disparities, women's cancer disparities, and community engagement. Her clinical research emphasizes preeclampsia, a significant and unevenly distributed condition in pregnancy. Smith's work aims to increase the adoption of evidence-based treatments to prevent preeclampsia and reduce disparities in maternal mortality among Black women. Her studies analyze electronic medical records, provider screening and treatment practices, and women's awareness of clinical guidelines and risk factors. Chronic hypertension, a major risk factor for preeclampsia, is estimated to be 60 percent more prevalent in Black women, who face a three- to four-fold greater risk of dying from the condition compared to white women.
Smith is the founder and director of Kansas Birth Equity Network, a community-centered network focused on improving Black maternal, paternal, and infant health in Kansas. Supported by the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award, the network builds on the foundation of Sisters and Brothers for Healthy Infants and brings together parents, community members, doulas, midwives, and physicians to address the Black maternal health crisis and develop solutions for Kansas families. The network includes stakeholders from across Kansas and the Kansas City Metro.
Smith is also the co-founder of Kansas Sisters and Brothers for Healthy Infants, a partnership between University of Kansas School of Medicine and members of Black Greek Letter Organizations to increase awareness and education on Black infant mortality. She has developed a birth equity implicit bias and anti-racism training that highlights the experiences of Black mothers and fathers and raises awareness of racial disparities in medicine and the community. Smith has created a nine-module curriculum on birth equity and contributed to establishing two Kansas rooms in Believe Her, a maternal support app for Black women.
Smith's work advocates for shifting accountability for poor health outcomes from Black women to system-level factors, a principle she defines as birth equity. In Kansas, Black infants have died at two to three times the rate of white infants for more than 30 years, and while the overall infant mortality rate has decreased, disparities persist. Black women continue to die of pregnancy-related causes at a rate two to three times that of white women. Through research, community-building, and advocacy, Smith contributes to the national conversation on birth equity and Black maternal health.
Sharla Smith, PhD Speaking Topics
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- Maternal and Child Health
- Birth Equity
- Social Determinants of Health
- Health Care Systems
- Implicit Bias
- Anti-Racism
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Sharla Smith, PhD is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Civil Rights, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Family & Parenting, Health & Wellness, Healthcare, Medicine, Research & Exploration, Social Activism, Social Justice, Women, Women's Health -
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Sharla Smith, PhD is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as . The estimated speaking fee range to book Sharla Smith, PhD for your event is available upon request. Sharla Smith, PhD generally travels from Kansas City, KS, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Joia Crear-Perry, Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, Dayna Bowen Matthew, Linda Sarsour and Anushay Hossain. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Sharla Smith, PhD for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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