Acknowledging Black Maternal Health Week: North Carolina’s Efforts to Address Health Disparities
In a concerted effort to highlight and address the significant disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, Governor Josh Stein, alongside Senator Natalie Murdock, the Legislative Black Caucus, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, recognized Black Maternal Health Week. This initiative aims to bring attention to the critical need for improved healthcare access and outcomes for Black mothers and their newborns in North Carolina.
“Black women are nearly twice as likely as white women to die from pregnancy complications in North Carolina,” stated Governor Josh Stein. “We cannot accept these disparities as a fact of life, so we must take action to ensure that all mothers and their babies receive the health care they need.”
Senator Natalie Murdock expressed her commitment to the cause, noting the personal impact of these statistics. “I have seen too many friends who have almost died from childbirth, and it can be exhausting having to explain to the public that women who look like me are prone to lower-quality care and too often lack the preventive care we need to stave off disease,” she said. “But we have a duty to rise to the occasion, stand up, tune out the noise, stay focused, and keep pushing forward to increase positive outcomes for Black mothers and infants.”
Debra Farrington, NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Health, emphasized the department’s commitment to change. “It is our mission to improve the health and well-being of every individual in North Carolina, but we acknowledge a difficult truth: Negative maternal health outcomes for Black women are unacceptably high,” she said. “NCDHHS is committed to addressing disparities in maternal health and will continue its work with partners to ensure mothers get the care they need when they need it before, during, and after pregnancy.”
Governor Stein is advocating for broader healthcare access for mothers and families throughout the state. In a recent proposal, he called for the General Assembly to pass a $1.4 billion Critical Needs Budget aimed at addressing urgent state needs. This budget includes $319 million to fully fund Medicaid, which is crucial as it covers half of all births in North Carolina and supports various healthcare professionals essential for maternal and infant care.
Efforts to improve healthcare access are also focused on rural areas, where more than 3.5 million residents live. In December, Governor Stein, along with the NCDHHS, secured $213 million from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under the Rural Health Transformation Program. This funding aims to enhance healthcare services, including those related to maternal and perinatal care.
Statistics reveal that for Black women, 57% of pregnancy-related deaths occur during pregnancy or within six weeks postpartum, with nearly 80% of these deaths deemed preventable. Initiatives like the Maternal Health Innovation Program and the “I Gave Birth” initiative are crucial in addressing these issues. The program, implemented at around 50 birthing facilities, focuses on educating postpartum women and training healthcare providers to quickly recognize and respond to post-birth warning signs.
Governor Stein has also taken legislative steps to improve postpartum care by signing House Bill 546, which extends postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a full year, providing essential support during a critical time for new mothers.
The NC MATTERS program is another initiative aimed at reducing barriers to care. In partnership with the NC Psychiatric Access Line, it supports healthcare providers serving pregnant and postpartum patients, having already reached over 1,600 patients.
Additionally, the national Maternal Mental Health Hotline offers free and confidential support 24/7. Individuals can call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA to connect with trained professionals for assistance, information, and referrals to local resources.
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