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The future of Black maternal health programs is uncertain due to federal budget cuts. These programs, like Santa Clara County’s Black Infant Health initiative, have significantly improved health outcomes for Black mothers and infants by reducing maternal hypertension and increasing screenings for life-threatening conditions. However, recent federal cuts threaten their funding and progress.
Eboni Tomasek, a mother from San Jose, experienced firsthand the importance of these programs when hospital staff delayed her newborn's discharge without clear reasons. Her caseworker from the Black Infant Health program helped her navigate the stressful situation. Since 2000, about 14,000 families have benefited from such programs, which offer home visits, health monitoring, and support groups to combat racial disparities in maternal care.
Despite the success, these initiatives face challenges. According to Capital B News, federal cuts could lead to increased maternal mortality rates. Angela Aina of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance warns that reduced funding could reverse the progress made in reducing racial disparities in birth outcomes.
The Century Foundation highlights the broader issue of maternal health in the U.S., noting that despite increased investment, the country still has high maternal mortality rates. Federal cuts to programs like Medicaid and Title V grants threaten to worsen these outcomes.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open shows a 27% increase in maternal mortality from 2018 to 2022, with Black women facing rates 2.8 times higher than white women. Experts emphasize the need for continued investment in maternal health to address these disparities and improve outcomes.