SR 191: Black Maternal Health Statistics; recognize

Senate Resolution 191

By: Senators Jackson of the 41st, James of the 28th, Wicks of the 34th, Merritt of the 9th, Sims of the 12th and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing Black maternal health statistics; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the United States has the highest rates of maternal mortality among higher income countries. There are an estimated 700 to 900 deaths per year in the United States that are pregnancy related, and another 50,000 persons suffer from severe complications; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 80 percent of pregnancy related deaths in the United States are preventable; and

WHEREAS, in Georgia, four in five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable; and

WHEREAS, health care improvement initiatives are necessary to ensure that all people who are pregnant or postpartum receive the right care at the right time; and

WHEREAS, the United States has an infant mortality rate that is greater than most higher-income countries. Currently, the United States is ranked 33 out of 36 countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), with an average of 5.58 deaths per 1,000 live births; and

WHEREAS, racism and racial bias in healthcare systems contribute to both the national maternal mortality and morbidity crisis and infant mortality and morbidity, in particular for pregnant and postpartum persons and infants who are Black; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare longstanding racial and socioeconomic inequities in our healthcare system; and

WHEREAS, one of the essential goals of the state Department of Public Health is to reduce health and mental health disparities among vulnerable and underserved communities to achieve health equity throughout Georgia. This essential goal should extend to health equity for Black birthing people and babies; and

WHEREAS, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than non-Hispanic white women, and access to prenatal care, socioeconomic status, and general physical health do not fully explain the disparity seen in maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black individuals; there is a growing body of evidence that Black persons are often treated unfairly and unequally in the health care system; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the United States at almost twice the national rate; and

WHEREAS, in Georgia, Black women are almost three times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than non-Hispanic white women; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has experienced a string of hospital labor and delivery closures across the state, especially in rural areas. In 2019, 93 of the 109 rural counties in Georgia lacked a hospital labor and delivery unit, and 75 lacked an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN); and

WHEREAS, in Georgia, 34.6 percent of counties are defined as maternity care deserts compared to 32.6 percent in the United States; and

WHEREAS, chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes contribute to high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. In Georgia, Black women have egregious above-average rates of all of these conditions, resulting in high-risk pregnancies and poor maternal health outcomes; and

WHEREAS, Medicaid coverage for doula care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is linked to improved maternal and infant health outcomes, as doula-assisted mothers were four times less likely to have a baby with low birthweight, two times less likely to experience a birth complication for the mother or infant, and significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding; and

WHEREAS, access to quality prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care is essential to improving maternal health outcomes and reducing preventable maternal death.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize Black maternal health statistics and acknowledge the need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.