In a conversation moderated by Dr. Sylvia Morris, Hospitalist and Area Physician Market Lead at Kaiser Permanente, four experts in the maternal health sphere spoke about the issues pregnant women are facing in metro Atlanta, including maternal mortality.
The Center for Black Women’s Wellness, March of Dimes, Kaiser Permanente, and the Fulton County Board of Health were all represented on the panel. They highlighted the disparities that exist in women’s healthcare for Black women and how their respective organizations are addressing those disparities.
“We didn’t get here overnight. It’s going to take some time, energy, and effort, and us working collectively,” said Dr. Morris.
United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2023 Child Well-Being Outlook: Insights for Impact Report identified 12 neighborhoods in metro Atlanta that have both low and declining child well-being. In these neighborhoods, an average of 22% of adults do not have insurance. In one neighborhood, that number is as high as 44%.
Lack of health insurance poses a significant barrier for pregnant women who need prenatal care. When that care isn’t accessible, complications can lead to medical issues for both the mother and the baby. 15% of babies in these neighborhoods are born at a low birth weight, which is 5% higher than the state average and 6.4% higher than the national average. These neighborhoods are predominately Black.
The Fulton County Board of Health utilizes this data from United Way’s Index to target areas where sex education is needed the most. The Center for Black Women’s Wellness, which is funded partly by United Way, is also dedicated to serving these communities.
United Way is only able to increase access to and education about maternal health because of donors like you. Click here to donate to the Child Well-Being Fund to help them continue their work towards a more equitable Atlanta.
