The United States has the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in comparison to other developed countries, and the statistics are worse for women of color. These disparities are leading to worsening health outcomes for pregnant and post-partum women, particularly in low-income and remote communities.
In an effort to help improve these statistics, BCBSIL is supporting parents in Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods by providing funding to community-based organizations working to improve maternal health outcomes. The organizations utilize doulas, midwives and telemedicine to provide education, labor care, breastfeeding help and postpartum support within a culturally appropriate lens.
BCBSIL is also teaming up with Centering Healthcare Institute, a non-profit focused on delivering better health outcomes and improving the care experience for patients and their doctors. Through a three-year grant, BCBSIL will be bringing CHI’s CenteringPregnancy program to a number of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that focus on serving underserved and at-risk populations.