Innovative Solutions to Georgia’s Maternal Health Crisis

Georgia is in the midst of a maternal health crisis that demands our urgent attention. The statistics are alarming and unacceptable: over 60% of maternal deaths in our state could have been prevented. Black women are particularly at risk, with a maternal mortality rate three to four times higher than that of white women. To make matters worse, more than half of Georgia’s counties lack primary OB/GYN care, leaving many women without essential health care throughout their pregnancy. These combined challenges have resulted in Georgia’s failing grade in maternal health outcomes. Yet, amid the crisis, there is hope. Dedicated individuals and institutions are working tirelessly to change the narrative. One leader on the frontlines of this fight is Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). Their groundbreaking efforts to address these disparities are making a real difference.Last year, MSM launched the Perinatal Patient Navigator Program with the support of a nearly $2 million grant from the Amerigroup Foundation. The program aims to reach 130,000 expectant and new Black mothers and their families across Georgia, focusing on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. A key aspect of this program is the creation of a rural maternal health residency program, bringing much-needed maternal care to...