Addressing Maternal Mortality Disparities in Tulsa: A Healthy Start for Black Women

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a community is coming together to address the alarming racial disparities in maternal mortality rates. Corrina Jackson, a dedicated mother and leader of a local Healthy Start program, is working tirelessly to ensure that Black women have access to the care they need during pregnancy and childbirth.

Black women in Oklahoma are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth compared to white women, making it one of the worst states in the nation for maternal mortality. Jackson’s project, funded through Healthy Start, aims to provide essential care and support to women throughout their pregnancies, ultimately saving lives in the process.

With over 100 projects funded through Healthy Start nationally, the Biden administration has recognized the program as a crucial part of their plan to address maternal health. Other states, like California and New York City, have also implemented initiatives to improve maternal health outcomes, with promising results.

In Tulsa, Jackson’s program focuses on coordinating prenatal and postpartum care, providing education on pregnancy and parenting, and offering referrals to services for mental health and domestic violence issues. By addressing the social determinants of health and providing comprehensive support, Jackson and her team have been able to prevent any maternal deaths among their clients in her 25-year tenure.

Through the dedication of individuals like Jackson and the implementation of community-based programs like Healthy Start, there is hope for reducing the racial disparities in maternal mortality rates and ensuring that all women have access to the care they need during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.