Advancing Black Maternal Health Research, Training, and Birth Equity in Los Angeles County
The Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence works to improve birth outcomes for Black birthing people in Los Angeles County. The center addresses structural racism, including anti-Black racism, through research, training, innovation, and partnerships with Black and POC community midwives.
Black families are long overdue for a positive transformation in their maternity experience
Among the wealthiest nations, the US has the highest maternal mortality rates, with Black women and birthing persons consistently over-represented in these statistics.
In Los Angeles County, Black infants and mothers are 3-6 times more likely to die than other race, primarily from preterm birth and preeclampsia.
The CDC has reported that two-thirds of these deaths could be prevented. And while U.S health professionals and government officials have acknowledged there’s a major Black maternal health crisis, change comes at a snail-slow pace.