Apr 13 Black women face greater risk of death and trauma due to childbirth. This reporter explored why By Laura Santhanam, Nicole Ellis, Casey Kuhn In a yearlong investigation, Capital B national health reporter Margo Snipe examined how disinvestment in health care systems that served predominantly Black communities led to maternal health care deserts and worsened outcomes. Continue reading
Mar 29 Watch 9:05 The health care challenges pregnant women of color face in rural areas By Stephanie Sy and Gabriel Roy, Global Health Reporting Center A CDC report shows maternal deaths nearly doubled over three years, with over 1,200 deaths in 2021. Rural communities, where maternal mortality is almost double urban rates, struggle to access lifesaving maternal healthcare. With support from the Pulitzer Center and… Continue watching
Mar 16 Watch 9:51 CDC data shows rise in maternal mortality and deaths of Black infants in U.S. By William Brangham, Courtney Norris, Laura Santhanam The CDC released two reports about mortality rates for mothers and babies in America and they include some stark racial divides. New mothers are dying at higher rates than mothers in any other industrialized nation. And while the overall rate… Continue watching
Mar 16 U.S. maternal mortality spiked during the worst days of COVID, new data shows By Laura Santhanam For years, the United States has been considered one of the unsafest places to give birth among developed nations. That has been especially true for Black women during the height of the COVID pandemic. Continue reading
Aug 30 In St. Louis, doulas push for better reproductive health care — especially for Black patients By Gabrielle Hays A doula’s work covers not only when a person is pregnant but also the postpartum period. It is a time health professionals say is crucial but the healthcare system does not often care for people long after they give birth. Continue reading
Jul 27 How abortion bans will likely lead to more deadly infections By Laura Santhanam When faced with this kind of infection, “it’s all about getting care quickly,” experts say. But abortion restrictions and bans complicate access to care, putting more pregnant people's lives at risk. Continue reading
Apr 08 How this Medicaid extension throws postpartum parents a lifeline By Laura Santhanam Four out of 10 births in the U.S. are paid for by Medicaid. Starting this month, pregnant and postpartum people are eligible to receive coverage 12 months after delivery to expand access and improve health outcomes for new parents and… Continue reading
Feb 23 Watch 4:52 News Wrap: Drugmakers seek regulatory approval for new COVID vaccine In our news wrap Wednesday, two drugmakers, Sanofi and Glaxo-Smith-Kline, say they hope to get another COVID vaccine on the market soon as they seek regulatory approval in the U.S. and Europe. Also, new government data shows deaths of pregnant… Continue watching
Apr 18 Watch 9:59 Why are black mothers and infants far more likely to die in U.S. from pregnancy-related causes? By PBS News Hour The U.S. has a problem with maternal mortality, especially for women of color. Black infants are more than twice as likely to die as white infants; black women are three to four times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes… Continue watching
Aug 17 Watch 8:39 Why are more American women dying after childbirth? By PBS News Hour Doctors and nurses have worked hard to reduce the U.S. infant mortality rate, and yet there’s been a rise in maternal mortality in recent decades, a trend that is less understood. Judy Woodruff sits down with Renee Montagne of NPR… Continue watching