Black Women Face Disproportionate Maternal Mortality Rates
NNH Identifies Key Factors for Happy, Healthy, and Joyous Pregnancy
Chicago – May 01, 2023 – During May’s Maternal Health Month, Near North Health (NNH) is tackling the challenge of disproportionate maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women, with a focus on improving health outcomes for them.
Black women are about three times more likely to die from preventable pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The mortality rate for Black women in 2020 was 55.3 for every 100,000 live births, compared to 19.1 for white women. The disparity has many factors including a lack of access to quality care, rising costs of maternal healthcare, and the issue of uninsured or underinsured women.
“The biggest challenge in maternal health is the disproportionate rate of maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women. We need to address systemic racism and implicit bias in healthcare and increase access to quality care for these women,” said Dr. Erica Taylor, Medical Director at Near North Health.
What NNH is Doing to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes
NNH offers the Better Birth Outcomes (BBO) program, a standardized prenatal education curriculum for high-risk pregnant women. BBO emphasizes the importance of regular prenatal medical care visits, home visits each trimester the client is active in the program, monthly engagement with a BBO case manager for continued prenatal education, in addition to care coordination and communication with the client’s prenatal medical provider.
The program also emphasizes reproductive life planning and health benefits associated with the delay of subsequent pregnancy, which impacts Illinois’ infant mortality rate and rates of prematurity in Medicaid-eligible pregnant women. Women are enrolled in BBO through the duration of pregnancy up to six weeks postpartum.
“The biggest social determinants of health that prevent Black mothers from receiving quality care include income, education, housing, employment, and neighborhood conditions,” said Dr. Taylor.
NNH is working to address these determinants by providing resources such as education, housing assistance, and employment support to pregnant women and new mothers. The organization is also advocating for policies that support maternal health, such as the recent expansion of Medicaid coverage beyond the initial six weeks to one full year after delivery. Additionally, NNH has a community health worker program that assists women in navigating the healthcare system and accessing resources they need.
Key Factors for a Happy, Healthy, and Joyous Pregnancy
To ensure a happy, healthy, and joyous pregnancy, Dr. Taylor recommends seeking care early and regularly, being in tune with your body and baby, and not hesitating to seek evaluation if there are any issues. Women should also prepare for pregnancy before becoming pregnant, control chronic medical conditions, and take folic acid if of childbearing age.
“NNH is committed to improving maternal health outcomes for Black women and ensuring they have the resources and support they need for a healthy pregnancy and delivery,” said Dr. Taylor.
Near North Health is leading the way in Chicago by providing quality care to pregnant and new mothers, advocating for policies that support maternal health, and addressing the social determinants of health that prevent Black mothers from receiving quality care. The organization is committed to tackling systemic issues that lead to health disparities among Black women.
“As a community health center, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities. We will continue to work tirelessly to address the disparities in maternal health and ensure that all women receive the care and support they need for a healthy pregnancy and delivery,” said Dr. Taylor.
About Near North Health
Near North Health is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and one of the largest providers of community-based primary health care in Chicago. We provide medical services, social services, and nutrition education to uninsured and underinsured individuals and families. Our philosophy reflects a commitment to providing access to innovative healthcare no matter where one comes from, what they look like or how long it’s been since they last saw a doctor. Additional information about our mission and services is available at www.nearnorthhealth.org.
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