Missouri ranks near bottom in Black maternal health

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – Loved ones in Kansas City are grieving the death of a former Kansas City Chiefs’ cheerleader days after giving birth to her stillborn daughter. Krystal Anderson, 40, died on March 20 and her death is renewing conversations about the need to address Black maternal health. Dr. Dineo Khabele, the chair of Washington University’s OBY-YN Department, says 47 percent of Missouri counties are OBG-YN deserts. She says Missouri is among the worst states when it comes to maternal and infant mortality rates in the country. “There’s fear, there’s anxiety, is my body going to do what it’s supposed to?” said Christin Simpson. “This little human that God has gifted me and my husband to shepherd this journey of life.” She’s a mom of two boys and says although being a mother is life-changing for the better, she remembers the dark days of being pregnant. “I think a lot of Black women are losing their lives because they’re not listened to,” said Simpson. Simpson says it’s a raw reality for Black mothers that is rooted in racism. Simpson is also a family nurse practitioner and is the Director of Training and Technical Assistance for the...