By Jabren Cannida
Pregnancy complications are one of the leading causes of death for black women. In the northern states of the United States it seems they have been doing a lot to lower their maternal mortality rate and keep it low. In New York city in the past they have noticed that their maternal rate was pretty high when looking at people of color, especially black women. In the state they found that severe maternal morbidity or SMM was higher than the rest of the country’s. So, in order to lower their rates the New York State health system was created in 2006. On the NYS health foundation website it says that the New york health system has funded many projects that would increase maternity care. On their website it says “…the New York City area based on quality measures and other factors that affect maternity and newborn care. In addition, the Foundation is supporting an effort by one of the largest unions in the State to develop a high-value maternity care network for its expectant parents, who are predominantly lower-wage union workers and women of color.” This is great because sadly most black households have lower income so they are not able to have the best or any insurance at all. On the website they also call attention to how they want to increase the quality of care by collecting better data on racial and ethnic disparities and how they want to combat implicit bias. New York has also informed their communities of the benefits of having a midwife and other community based health workers. During pregnancy black women often experience racism and disrespect in the maternal health care system. There have been many stories where a black woman says they do not feel involved in the process of their pregnancy. On the New York State health system website it says that “Doulas and CHWs can help advocate for respectful care at the time of birth and by educating women about their rights during pregnancy. Providing access to midwifery services is also critical for respecting patient choice and reproductive autonomy.” Another northern state that has worked to combat the rise of their maternal mortality rate is Pennsylvania. In Nate Wardle’s article “ As U.S. Maternal Mortality Rates Rise, Department Of Health Stresses Importance Of Women’s Health Care” it says that governor Wolf signed Act 24 in 2018 which created the states Maternal Mortality Review Committee to stop the increase of the states rate and to create programs and strategies to prevent pregnancy related deaths. IN the years 2012-2016 the state also noticed that the maternal mortality rate was doubled for black women in the state. So the department worked to improve access for quality care and education about warning signs at delivery. The department has also created the Women, Infants and Children Special Supplemental Nutrition Program or WIC which educates mothers on how to keep themselves and family healthy. New Jersey is another northern state that has a low maternal mortality rate. According to New Jersey State Health Assessment Data’s website it says that the state has a low infant mortality rate compared to the United states but reducing the black maternal mortality rate still seems to be the bigger challenge. The state has been putting in plans to reduce it though and end racial disparities. In Lilo H. Stainton’s article “First lady spearheading plan to reduce NJ’s high maternal mortality rate” says that Tammy Murphy announced a five year plan that will work on maternal health in June 2020. It also states that Murphy has created some short solutions to help with maternal care such as the Nurture NJ program which connects low income with other diverse health care services.
Tammy Murphy also said she is looking for a long term strategy to lower their maternal mortality rate but needs the input from the community and hopefully they will have something soon. In Stainton’s article it also talks about how New Jersey has been trying to lower the black maternal mortality rate as well. It states “Hogan said her team of eight racially and professionally diverse members has some 125 years of collective experience in perinatal care and policy.” and that the state started with the Maternal Care Quality Collaborative. Just like New York, New Jersey’s Department of Health has trained doulas and health care providers cultural competence so that black women feel safe during their pregnancy and New Jersey has also started working with Pennsylvania’s hospital to help improve their maternity outcomes. Stainton’s article also states that the governor of New Jersey signed maternal and infant health bills and approved changes to Medicaid to better the maternal health for their communities. It is good to see that some northern states are working together to help keep the maternal mortality down not just for their own state but for black women as well.
Reflective Journal 