New Report Shows Progress in Maternal Health Care Through Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative

September 03, 2024 – ,Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA) published a new report, “Supporting Communities, Transforming Maternal Health: A Spotlight on the Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative,” highlighting the successes of grantees and experiences of birthing people impacted by the Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative (SCC). SCC was supported by Merck for Mothers, Merck’s global initiative to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life, along with several national and local philanthropic partners.

As shown by the CDC, the United States is the only high-income country in which maternal health outcomes are worsening. Systemic racism is a primary contributor, as Black and Indigenous women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications than white women, regardless of education and socioeconomic status.

This new report offers practical examples from SCC to others in the field who are implementing community-led solutions while calling for more support for maternal health initiatives at the local level.

Despite challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, SCC grantees have seen clear impact. Over 23,000 women received quality antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care – while more than 12,000 received doula services. Grantees also influenced legislation expanding Medicaid coverage, postpartum depression information, and licensure for birthing centers. From Philadelphia to Chicago, Tulsa to San Francisco, this report highlights effective community-led solutions to improve maternal health and encourage greater programmatic and financial investment.

SCC was part of Merck for Mothers’ commitment to improving maternal health outcomes for all and addressing health and social factors affecting pregnancy and childbirth. This initiative progressed into a critical component of Merck for Mothers’ ongoing work to reduce systemic inequities and help end maternal mortality in the United States by cultivating diverse partnerships with collaborators including community-based organizations, health care providers and quality improvement leaders.

Launched in October 2018, this initiative has funded 20 grantees across the country to uplift underserved populations and advance maternal health in their communities. SCC grantees, most of which were led by women identifying as Black, Indigenous, or women of color, have implemented unique approaches to bolster support systems around women and families during and after pregnancy.

BMMA, an organization based in Atlanta, is a national network of Black women-led organizations and professionals whose work is rooted in reproductive justice, respectful maternity care, and human rights. BMMA’s evaluation team collected data from SCC grantee reports to highlight accomplishments, quality improvement and real stories of people whose maternal health journeys have been impacted by this initiative.

To learn more about the Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative and Merck for Mothers’ efforts in the United States, read the full report here.