Link: https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/combating-the-black-maternal-and-infant-mortality-crisis
Excerpt:
She’s not alone, according to the CDC black women of all backgrounds are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy related cause than white woman. Black infants are also three times more likely to die than white babies.
Many black women report feeling silenced or ignored by healthcare providers during their pregnancy journey.
“It is 2023 almost 2024, and in this time, we should not be dying in birth. Period. You may be the medical professional, and you may have great textbook knowledge and you may have many degrees, but nobody is in my body but me, and nobody can tell me that this pain that I’m feeling is not there,” King said.
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This month New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the issue a crisis and a disgrace. Hochul announced more than $4 million in funding for regional perinatal centers and said doula services will now be covered for all Medicaid enrollees beginning January first.
In a statement, Governor Hochul said, “as the first mom and grandma to serve as Governor of New York, I’m committed to doing everything in my power to tackle the disturbing rise in infant mortality.”
Esther is hopeful the attacks on this issue from all fronts will lead to better outcomes for women and babies in the future.
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Author(s): Emani Payne
Publication Date: 21 Nov 2023
Publication Site: CBS 6 Albany