Ellenberg: More work needed to achieve parity in Black maternal health

Efforts to improve Black maternal health outcomes have been doggedly pursued for decades.

While there has been some encouraging data, there is still much to do to reduce instances of mortality and morbidity for Black infants and mothers (to include all pregnant and birthing people).

Black mothers and infants have the highest rates for preterm birth, infant mortality and severe maternal morbidity compared to other racial/ethnic groups, even when accounting for the educational or economic status of the mother.

In 2023, the mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black mothers was 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, nearly 3.5 times the rate for non-Hispanic white mothers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the U.S., Black mothers are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white mothers.

Statewide, Black mothers are three to seven times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic and white mothers.

“We have made a difference, but it is insufficient,” said Beverly White-Macklin, a 23-year veteran of the Black Infant Health program. “If we continue to educate both patients and providers, and ensure that both have adequate resources, I firmly believe we can eradicate the disparity.”

We must build a stronger and more robust collaborative effort between the public and private health sectors, as well as a deeper commitment from elected officials to support programs like Black maternal and infant health — through policy and consistent funding. We must commit to expanding and resourcing the supports provided to pregnant and parenting families through programs such as Black Infant Health, Roots’ Families First, the county’s Perinatal Equity Initiative and similar programs.

We must push back against calls for reducing federal funding of targeted programs. We must advocate for change, educate ourselves on the connections between racism and health and take tangible steps to improve outcomes.

It is a fight we cannot afford to lose.

Developing a culturally responsive and congruent workforce is critical. A workforce that understands systemic racism, addresses bias and provides person-centered, respectful, high-quality and affirming care for Black patients — when they are pregnant and throughout the perinatal and reproductive health continuum.

Here in Santa Clara County, our Black Infant Health program has been working since 1991 to address these issues to support Black mothers and their infants. I am proud of the referral I spearheaded in 2021, which directed ongoing, additional funding for that program and our Perinatal Equity Initiative. It also led to the formation of the Perinatal Equity Working group, as well as the annual perinatal equity conference.

Partnerships with the Roots Community Health Center, the African American Community Services Agency, the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet and others provide valuable services and supports to African Ancestry families to improve all aspects of health, including for mothers and infants.

Still, not nearly enough people are aware of our nation’s Black maternal health crisis and the broad disparity in outcomes. That is why marking April 11-17 as Black Maternal Health Week is so important. The Board of Supervisors recently proclaimed Black Maternal Health Week in Santa Clara County, and we will continue working to meet the needs of this vital population.

You can help in this work, too. Join us. Support our work. And bring others along with you.

Susan Ellenberg represents District 4 on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. She can be reached by email at [email protected].