LOUISIANA WEEKLY — WORD IN BLACK — A maternal health crisis continues to disproportionately impact the Black community, with Black mothers experiencing significantly higher mortality rates during childbirth and their infants facing increased risks of prematurity and death. Data indicates Black moms die at three times the rate of white moms, and Black infants are about twice as likely to die as white infants in some states.
By now, there’s little question that a maternal health crisis is rocking the Black community. The data tells the story: Black moms are dying during childbirth at three times the rate of white moms, a disproportionately high percentage of Black children are born prematurely, and Black infants are about twice as likely to die as white infants in states like Louisiana.
But new data from a handful of pilot projects also suggests a potential solution that could significantly improve outcomes for Black mothers and their babies: cash payments, no strings attached.
Studies show the unrestricted money led to fewer preterm births, higher newborn birth weights, and fewer critical-care infant hospitalizations. It also reduced stress among new moms who would otherwise struggle to attend prenatal check-ups, pay for food and formula, or keep a roof over their heads.
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Cash for Moms: As Medicaid Cuts Loom, Cities Test a New Approach to Black Maternal Health