Maternal Health Equity: Supporting Community and Structural Interventions

The United States has the highest rates of maternal mortality and morbidity among all developed countries, with significant disparities by race and ethnicity. These inequities are largely caused by social exclusion, economic disadvantage, and political or geographic marginalization that are embodied throughout a person’s life and across generations. We can’t solve these inequities one individual at a time; structural solutions are needed at the community, state, and national levels to improve care and outcomes. Community Based Organizations (CBOs)—like community-based doula programs, federally qualified health centers, community hospitals, and birth justice organizations—situated in communities experiencing inequities are essential to understanding the causes of health inequity, and to implementing meaningful policies and practices. In this webinar, our panelists draw on their experiences to discuss how we can help CBOs address individual health and social needs while also improving community or societal health.