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* Crain’s…
Research published earlier this month by the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA, found higher maternal mortality rates in Black communities, while Native American and Alaska Native people experienced a particularly rapid rise. State median mortality rates more than tripled over the last two decades.
In Chicago, Black women have a maternal mortality rate that is nearly six times higher than white women and Latina women have a maternal mortality rate that is twice as high as white women.
“The root causes of disproportionate pregnancy complications in Black women are driven by inequality, discrimination and long-standing racism deeply rooted in the U.S. healthcare system,” Dr. Jana Richards, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UChicago Medicine, wrote in an article. […]
Undergirding the disparities is the disinvestment in health care systems in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods, where the legacy of discrimination and redlining has contributed to shorter lifespans. On Chicago’s South Side, only three hospitals offer maternity care, severely limiting residents’ options. Food and housing insecurity and chronic stress also impact birth outcomes for mother and baby, as do the lack of paid maternity leave and flexible work policies.
* Women Employed Director of Advocacy and Policy Sarah Labadie…
While there are many contributing factors to a healthy pregnancy and healthy babies, we know that maternal health is improved with paid maternity leave. Numerous studies have shown that paid leave is essential for healthy moms and babies. The National Partnership for Women & Families details the staggering benefits proven in these studies, including a reduction in preterm births and decreased chances of re-hospitalization for both mothers and babies.
And still, in Illinois, 62% of workers report not being able to take even unpaid leave, either because they are not eligible or because they cannot afford it. Nationally, 62% of workers in low-wage households reported they received no pay during leave. Black and Latino workers are also more likely to lack access to leave, both paid and unpaid, than white workers. […]
In Illinois, we are continuing to push for more protections for pregnant workers. Earlier this year, Women Employed helped champion the passage of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. The bill provides up to 40 hours of paid time off for any reason to Illinois workers. For pregnant workers, this means paid time off to attend critical prenatal appointments without having to worry about losing a paycheck.
While groundbreaking, the law only provides time for short-term needs, like dealing with a cold or a flu. It does not offer enough time for bonding with or caring for a new child. That’s why we are looking to pass the Family & Medical Leave Insurance Act in Illinois. The law would create a state-run insurance program that allows Illinois workers to use up to 18 weeks of paid, job-protected leave a year. The program would be funded by a small contribution — less than 1% of wages.
* Holistic Birth Chief Strategy Officer Callan Jaress…
I imagine many people would be shocked to hear that the Black infant mortality rate in Cook County today (11.4 per 1,000 live births) is no better than the Black infant mortality rate in Mississippi (11.2 per 1,000 live births). In fact, the Black infant mortality rate in Illinois in 2017-2019 (12.2 per 1,000) was worse than in Mississippi (11.2 per 1,000).
Critical review of the most recent Illinois Maternal Morbidity & Mortality Report (reporting on statewide data for 2016-2017) reveals that the rate of avoidable mortality amenable to health care among Black mothers (35 per 100,000 live births) exceeded that of non-Hispanic white mothers (2 per 100,000 live births) by a factor of more than 15 to 1. Put another way, if our maternal health system furnished timely and effective health care to Black mothers as well as it did for white mothers, the rate of pregnancy-related deaths due to medical conditions among Black mothers would decrease by more than 80%. […]
Licensed certified professional midwives are newly legal in Illinois. Like certified nurse midwives, licensed certified professional midwives, or CPMs, are trained and educated to international standards and capable of providing the essential components of maternal-newborn care needed by 90% of the childbearing population. And importantly, licensure as a CPM does not require a bachelor’s degree.
Chicago should install a direct-entry midwifery program within one of the City Colleges of Chicago and have a new cadre of licensed CPMs ready to go within three years. And because licensed CPMs specialize in working in out-of-hospital settings, there is no reason to exclude underinvested neighborhoods from program installation. The “capital intensive” resources necessary to support conventional health care education programming (e.g., hospital simulators) are not necessary for successful community midwifery programs.
posted by Isabel Miller
Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 10:17 am
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This is just appalling. The US is not exactly leading the world on reducing maternal deaths anyway, but this? Midwives could help but I would imagine most of the deaths do not occur in pregnancies that a midwife could easily handle. Though a midwife would know when to call in medical care and could maybe make sure that prenatal care is consistent to convert more risky pregnancies into safer ones.
Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 10:50 am
It’s unfortunate and telling that the so-called “pro-life” folks are nowhere to be found on this issue. Improving the health and financial situations for mothers would have widespread, positive impacts; including a reduction in abortions. Instead of terrorizing women and passing laws dictating pregnancy, do something positive.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 11:11 am
From CapFax in 2018 on the IL rate: https://capitolfax.com/2018/07/13/there-is-a-greater-racial-gap-in-infant-mortality-rates-today-than-there-was-during-slavery-in-america/ And the NYT in 2020 on the Chicago rate: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/parenting/coronavirus-black-maternal-mortality.html?smid=url-share We’ve known the problem for a long time, and the fact that the numbers are actually going in the wrong direction, despite class, in a state which is otherwise generally above average in terms of health outcomes, is utterly frustrating.
Comment by DriXander Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 11:30 am
access to and use of pre natal care is of vital importance. A midwife can help to a certain extent. but so can neighborhood programs that promote awareness and support for women. Family Focus is a group that was founded to replace the systems of family/local support that would exist before mobile society. while their focus is on children, child care, this same thought of replicating the support women gave to each other in closer societies can help women learn about all sorts of things. not just pregnancy. cancer screenings, signs, all of reproductive systems issues.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 11:45 am
Re: Crain’s story on Maternal death rates
Thanks for sharing, Isabel - big issue
Dr. Jana Richards is of course, correct. Historic patterns of differential treatment are primary, social causal factors in producing inequalities by ethnicity.
I would suggest the differential access problem is also a primary factor. It represents a social obligation by states and the national governments as well.
Many working class and working poor people do not have the ability to secure insurance, “fifty cents” is more than I have. We middle income people and above (Median weekly earnings were $996 for women, $1,186 for men, in first quarter 2023 - BLS) often forget this perspective. They have no insurance, can’t afford “Obamacare”, and some have no idea where to start.
These citizens are typically younger women of all races, and at the same time, the results are also disproportionate across groups.
If “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness (Property rights) is about life itself, we can create the sort of safety net programs to reduce and prevent ethnic inequalities.
Subcultures do not create society any more than historic individuals do. But they are still expected to live in the social milieu conditions that significantly produce inequalities across subcultures. This is where Illinois must step up (my opinion).
Comment by H-W Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 12:57 pm
Re: Crain’s story on Maternal death rates
Thanks for sharing, Isabel - big issue
Dr. Jana Richards is of course, correct. Historic patterns of differential treatment are primary, social causal factors in producing inequalities by ethnicity.
I would suggest the differential access problem is a serious primary factor. It represents a social obligation by states and the national governments as well.
Many working class and working poor people do not have the ability to secure insurance, “fifty cents” is more than I have. We middle income people and above (Median weekly earnings were $996 for women, $1,186 for men, in first quarter 2023 - BLS) often forget this perspective. They have no insurance, can’t afford “Obamacare”, and some have no idea where to start.
These citizens are typically younger women of all races, and at the same time, the results are also disproportionate across groups.
If “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness (Property rights) is about life itself, we can create the sort of safety net programs to reduce and prevent ethnic inequalities.
Subcultures do not create society any more than historic individuals do. But they are still expected to live in the social milieu conditions that significantly produce inequalities across subcultures. This is where Illinois must step up (my opinion).
Comment by H-W Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 1:08 pm
(It’s unfortunate and telling that the so-called “pro-life” folks are nowhere to be found on this issue.) — Pot calling kettle. Hey Kettle, please name the laws Illinois pro-lifers have been able to pass. The Ds run the state and basically have for years. They (you) own this. Go to the dollar store, buy a mirror, and look in it. Also, I find your name hugely ironic…
Comment by Stand Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 1:29 pm
Sorry about the double post. Feel free to delete one, Rich or Isabel.
Comment by H-W Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 1:52 pm
==Hey Kettle, please name the laws Illinois pro-lifers have been able to pass.==
That’s the point. They put up plenty of bills to ban abortions, which they know will go nowhere; yet bills that might pass and would certainly reduce the demand for abortions, no support.
As an example, HB 1102 and SB 2217 would create family leave insurance programs under IDES; neither bill had any support from the so-called “pro-life” folks. Creating such a program should be a no-brainer for pro-life folks in a liberal state like Illinois.
As a group, they oppose gov’t supported health care, mandated paid leave, or any form of government support for folks who are low income. When you support women’s health care and programs that provide financial back-up for pregnant people and new parents, you can reduce the economically-related need for abortion.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 2:14 pm
To “Pot Calling Kettle”: Let me summarize your theory. The D’s control every branch of government in Illinois including super-majority control of the house and senate. Black women in Illinois suffer an extremely high maternal mortality rate. This occurs bc some Republicans won’t sign onto a couple of bills and not because of the actual people running things. Got it. Interesting theory. But I’m not sure I buy it. Keep arguing though. It makes you look real smart.
Comment by Stand Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 2:32 pm
===Hey Kettle, please name the laws Illinois pro-lifers have been able to pass. The Ds run the state and basically have for years. They (you) own this. Go to the dollar store, buy a mirror, and look in it.===
If you think pro-life folks in Illinois are just fine “sitting on their hands” because…
It’s interesting to note your take is political not the policy, it reaffirms the ideal that Republicans are just not pro choice.
To the post itself,
Our country, let alone Illinois, has a a serious mortality rate for POC and maternity, this should be a bipartisan issue where no woman, no matter her race, should see or feel pregnancy is more alarming here in Illinois and this country than any first world country should bare.
If you are angered that it’s a political measure and those with political capital should act, and act without “your party”, than maybe you are misunderstanding what is at stake here, the health system, not political righteousness
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 4:04 pm
Our health care system is broken. I think we need to start with this fact.
Comment by Lurker Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 4:14 pm
@ Lurker
Not necessarily. As a state employee, I have a “Cadillac” policy that works very well, and I can afford for my family (an HMO plan).
The question for me is, how do we extend this level of quality and access to those who cannot afford it? I believe we can.
Comment by H-W Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 6:35 pm
Stand - Your willful misinterpretation of my critique is noted.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 6:37 pm
==The question for me is, how do we extend this level of quality and access to those who cannot afford it? I believe we can.==
As do I. We need universal healthcare. If everyone was insured, the demand for healthcare would increase and hospitals and other services could open in low income areas. Streamlining the payment system would lower cost as would financial support for those wanting to become doctors; especially those studying to become practitioners in family medicine, OB/GYN, and other high need areas that have lower payback. Systemic change is possible; the first step is to look at what other countries are doing well and use that to map out the future. What we are doing now is very expensive and has poor outcomes.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jul 17, 23 @ 8:17 pm