A coalition of health care providers and the Westchester County government have announced the launch of the Black Maternal Child Health Initiative.
The program, which is budgeted at nearly $1 million, seeks to improve Black maternal and child health outcomes while reducing racial health care inequities and ensuring successful birthing practices. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women.
Funding for the Black Maternal Child Health Initiative derives from the Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network ($365,000), St. John”™s Riverside Hospital ($330,000) and the nonprofit Birth from the Earth ($300,000), and the program will be coordinated through the Westchester County Health Department.
“Focusing on health equity and improving health outcomes for all mothers is a very important goal for the Health Department, but especially for Black mothers and babies who are disproportionately affected by economic and racial inequities,” said Westchester County Commissioner of Health Dr. Sherlita Amler. “We are thrilled to launch this partnership to work together to reduce disparities and to educate, inform and increase healthcare access for County residents as they strive to achieve improved health for themselves and their families.”
