Black Maternal Health Week: Working to Prevent Preterm Births
April 9, 2025
Black Maternal Health Week is April 11–17 – which makes it a good time to focus on access to prenatal and postpartum care for this important group of mothers. (PCHP is hosting a Baby Shower on April 12 – learn more or sign up here!)
The Facts About Black Maternal Health
Unfortunately, American women are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than women in other high-income nations. In 2023, there were 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births. In addition, 1 in 9 Texas children is born prematurely. In the U.S., these rates are higher for Black women and children:
- Black mothers are dying at a rate 2.6 times than white women.
- Preterm births are highest among Black children (50% higher than for white children).
Several factors can have a major impact on the health of moms and babies, including poor access to care and high rates of
- high blood pressure.
- unhealthy weight.
Improving Outcomes
PCHP is proud to partner with the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI) to address this issue, through a program designed to identify pregnant women at high risk for preterm birth.
- Participants receive a series of text messages about the importance of
- self-care.
- getting timely care during pregnancy.
- The program also works to encourage prenatal visits by connecting Medicaid members with pregnancy-care providers.
Seeing Results
In the first two years of the program, preterm births decreased by 20%. In a survey of program participants, 73% of respondents agreed this program helped them feel more prepared to take care of themselves and their babies.
In addition, Medicaid and CHIP members are now covered for 12 months after their pregnancy ends. This is helping more moms to access preventive care and contraception services. It is also helping to lower rates of new pregnancies within one year of delivery.
To learn more about the PCCI program, click here.
