Black Maternal Health Week Recognized at Crossroad

Black women are more at risk during pregnancy due to a combination of social, economic and health care factors.

In fact, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variations in quality health care, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism and implicit bias. Social determinants of health prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical and emotional health.

Every pregnancy-related death is tragic, especially because more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable. Recognizing urgent maternal warning signs, providing timely treatment and delivering respectful, quality care can prevent many pregnancy-related deaths.

To help combat these risks, Crossroad Health Center offers:

• Doula services for women of color during their pregnancies
• Behavioral health counseling and depression screening throughout pregnancy for those at risk
• Social determinants of health screenings (These are nonmedical conditions that significantly affect health and quality of life such as lack of food, housing, clean water, transportation and employment.)
• Centering care, which brings together a small group of women due at the same time for their  pregnancy care
• Services and support from partner agencies to ensure needs other than medical are met
• A dedicated team of experienced women’s health care provider

Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from April 11-17 to bring attention and action in improving Black maternal health. Everyone can play a role in working to prevent pregnancy-related deaths and improving maternal health outcomes. Read more HERE.

Source: CDC