The state’s system for helping the uninsured thwarts women at every turn and encourages subpar care. Rosa Diaz was no stranger to hunger and stress and a throbbing pain in the gut that was usually nothing serious read more …
The extraordinary danger of being pregnant and uninsured in Texas
From 2012 through 2015, at least 382 pregnant women and new mothers died in Texas from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, according to the most recent data available from the Department of State Health Services; since then, hundreds more have likely perished. While their cases reflect the problems that contribute to maternal mortality across the United States — gross medical errors, deeply entrenched racism, structural deficiencies in how care is delivered — another Texas-size factor often plays a significant role: the state’s vast, and growing, problem with health insurance access. read more …
The extraordinary danger of being pregnant and uninsured in Texas
Over three years, nearly 400 pregnant or new mothers died in Texas. Its system for helping the uninsured thwarts women at every turn, frustrates doctors and midwives, and incentivizes substandard care. Rosa Diaz was no stranger to hunger and stress and a throbbing pain in the gut that was usually nothing serious read more …
Houston community leaders of color talk maternal health: ‘From birth, our babies face discrimination’
Cheryl Turner’s cousin didn’t have to die.
She was pregnant with her third child and kept telling her doctor something was wrong. She was in pain. But her cousin’s doctor, Turner said, told her that she was just overweight with high blood pressure. He dismissed her. read more…
Round 50: Race, Health and Motherhood
Round 50 explored maternal mortality, with a focus on the health disparity that impacts women of color, specifically, Black women in the Third Ward community. Project Row Houses (PRH) unveiled its latest Artist Round, Round 50: Race, Health and Motherhood, on Saturday, October 12, 2019. read more…
The fight to end Texas’ high maternal mortality rate
Texas made headlines in 2016 after a study claimed the state had the worst maternal mortality rate in the developed world. The study’s numbers turned out to be inflated, but Texas still has one of the most concerning maternal mortality rates in the U.S., particularly among black mothers, who die during childbirth at twice the rate white mothers do. Special Correspondent Kirsty Johansen reports. read more…
In Texas, too many new moms die. Here’s how to stop that. [Opinion]
Houston Chronicle, By Erica Giwa and Stephanie MartonMay 22, 2019 The statistics on maternal mortality in Texas are staggering. For every 100,000 live births, there are between 14.6 and 18.6 maternal deaths. Among black women, who are still severely disproportionately affected, the rate leaps to 27.8 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. These numbers, according …read more »
Money, racism major factors in death among Houston black mothers during childbirth
A new approach from the University of Houston hopes to revive the decades-old Healthy Start Initiative and provide women at risk with better care. read more…
Coalition launches to help pregnant women in Third Ward, Sunnyside
A coalition of health organizations launched an initiative Friday to combat maternal mortality and morbidity in the Third Ward and Sunnyside, areas where women die after giving birth at much higher rates than compared to other parts of Harris County.
Healthy Women Houston members said that making sure women are accessing health care during pregnancy and after giving birth is important to reduce risk of death or disease.
Why are maternal mortality rates much higher among minority women. That’s the challenge tackled by the Houston Endowment. Dr. Erica Giwa, is the Assistant Professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Children and Women. She is a guest on this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall and says many people assume that socio-economics are at the heart of the problem, but not so. read more…Houston Newsmakers for July 28: Maternal Mortality, Komen Breast Cancer Research, Sterling Aviation