In Norfolk, Virginia, Sentara hosted a roundtable discussion with Region 3 Health and Human Services Director Melissa Herd to address the Black maternal health crisis. A diverse group of health professionals, community advocates, and lawmakers came together to find solutions to save lives.
Teresita Hammond, Sentara Patient Experience and Community Outreach Director, emphasized that the risk of death for Black and brown individuals is higher regardless of education or financial status. She stressed the importance of meeting people where they are to address the root causes of the crisis.
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital’s high-risk birthing center now offers new moms support from Urban Baby Beginnings for prenatal and postpartum care. WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) representatives will help qualifying mothers get nutritional support. CHIP of Virginia offers additional support, including home visits from nurses for families in need.
Birthing and parenting classes have moved to community churches and online platforms for accessibility. Despite these services being available, the number of maternal deaths remains a concern. The efforts to prevent deaths are ongoing as leaders review and implement new programs.
As the work continues, Sentara leaders and attendees are hopeful that the number of deaths will decrease. They are committed to thinking outside the box for additional solutions to address the maternal health crisis effectively.
