Cook County Launches Free Doula Care Initiative to Tackle Maternal Mortality Crisis

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle (Photo Courtesy of Cook County Gov’t.). In a groundbreaking move to address the maternal mortality crisis in Illinois, Cook County unveiled a new initiative to provide free doula care to patients at Cook County Health facilities. The announcement came during a press conference held on Tuesday (Dec. 3) at the Chicago Cook County Health Professional Building. Commissioner Donna Miller of Cook County’s 6th District, who championed the initiative, was joined by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and a team of health officials. Together, they emphasized the critical need for accessible support services for expectant mothers in a region grappling with some of the nation’s highest maternal mortality rates. “Today, we take a bold step forward in addressing the maternal health crisis that disproportionately impacts Black women,” said Commissioner Miller. “In Cook County and across the country, we face a maternal mortality crisis, but it’s a preventable one. We need to be doing everything we can to support the health of mothers before, during and after pregnancy, and doula services are a critical part of that.” Commissioner Donna Miller emphasized her commitment to improving maternal healthcare, highlighting her...