Black Maternal Health Week highlights inequities in reproductive health

Kitsap County sent this bulletin at 04/15/2024 04:19 PM PDT

April 15, 2024

Black Maternal Health Week highlights inequities in reproductive health

Kitsap Public Health District is committed to supporting the health of Black mothers and birthing families, in collaboration with our community.

KITSAP COUNTY, WA — The health of parents and infants is key to the health of our Kitsap community. It is vital to address imbalances in access to quality care for Kitsap families.

In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week, Kitsap Public Health District is bringing awareness to inequities impacting Black mothers and birthing families. We remain committed to being a part of solutions to eliminate those inequities.

WHAT WE KNOW

Not all Kitsap families have the same opportunities to be healthy. Some groups are more likely to experience poor health or obstacles to accessing care due to discrimination, structural racism, and complex social and economic factors.

Nationally and locally, we know that Black and African American birthing families are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and birth than white families.

For example, from 2017 to 2021, Black and African American babies in Kitsap County were born prematurely at a higher rate than white babies. They were also born at a low birth weight at a higher rate than white babies.

From 2012 to 2021, infant mortality (deaths before age 1) was consistently higher among Black and African American infants than white infants in Kitsap County.

Black women are unjustly affected by maternal mortality (death related to pregnancy) statewide. Racism, discrimination, and stigma factor into higher maternal mortality rates, as well as pregnancy complications and barriers to accessing high-quality healthcare.

A shortage of perinatal healthcare services in Kitsap contributes to health inequities. As of 2021, Kitsap County had 47% fewer OB/GYN providers (obstetricians and gynecologists) than Washington overall, according to state estimates.

Many organizations and individuals in Kitsap are striving to address these health disparities. Kitsap Public Health is coordinating with stakeholders, including the Black community, to better access to comprehensive maternal health services and other resources.

A few examples of local organizations serving this community are:

Flying Bagel Counseling Services, a therapy and parent coaching service that specializes in supporting parents, rural residents, people of color, and neurodivergent individuals;
Kitsap Mental Health Services, where clinicians work with infants, children, youth, and families every day to strengthen resiliency and well-being through wraparound services;
Olympic Educational Service District 114, an organization that hosts family-centered programs for children from low-income families to help them succeed.

WHAT WE ARE DOING ABOUT IT

Kitsap Public Health District’s mission is to promote and protect the health of all people in Kitsap County. We emphasize health equity to ensure all families have the opportunity and resources they need to be healthy.

Last year, we partnered with Kitsap County and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to convene a Maternal and Infant Health Forum. Kitsap perinatal providers, health professionals, policy makers, and community members shared solutions for improving the health of people who give birth and their infants.

Visit our website to learn more about the forum and steps we are taking to improve maternal and infant health for all.

As one strategy to address health inequities experienced by Black residents, Kitsap Public Health is creating a new program dedicated to supporting Black mothers and birthing families. Black Infant Thrive will focus on reducing the impacts of societal, structural racism and promote healthy child development within the community.

Gabreiel Outlaw-Spencer, a public health educator leading this effort, has been in the community getting feedback about what Black families want to see as a part of this program.

You can send suggestions or questions regarding Black Infant Thrive to gabreiel.outlaw-spencer@kitsappublichealth.org.

OTHER RESOURCES

Kitsap Public Health's Parent Child Health team is here to answer questions and provide resources to new parents. We are available in-person and on the phone during business hours. Call us at 360-728-2235.

For immediate help, please consider these resources:

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
- Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
Perinatal Support Washington
- Call or text 1-888-404-7763

CONTACT:

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | 360-728-2235 - main
pio@kitsappublichealth.org | kitsappublichealth.org

Contact us:

Email or call 360-728-2235

Stay connected with Kitsap Public Health:

Manage your subscriptions:
Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe | Delete Profile | Help