San Joaquin County Takes Action To Lower Rate of Black Mothers And Infants Dying From Pregnancy Complications

San Joaquin County is taking action to diminish the alarming rate of Black mothers and infants dying from pregnancy complications. African American mothers are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than any other race.

Rally Around Our Sisters is a countywide awareness campaign on the health-related inequities facing African-American women leading to maternal and infant deaths.

In San Joaquin County, more than 50% of pregnant Black mothers are single, separated or divorced, compared to an average of 16% of white mothers.

Reanna Wyatt with Public Health says Black mothers face numerous barriers in their pregnancies—whether it's access to financial resources, not receiving adequate prenatal care, or lack of proper nutrition.

"Two things we really like to highlight are the repeated incidents of racism experienced by the black African-American population as well as the stress that comes from it," she said.

Wyatt says the mothers also often have inadequate prenatal care.

“We like to encourage family and friends to be there for the pregnant mother that they have in their lives,” she said. “Encourage them to keep their doctor’s appointments, encouraging them to advocate for themselves.”

Wyatt says the Rally Around Our Sisters program is providing social support, case management services, and assistance with referrals for pregnant and parenting women.