Maternal Health
Definition
The health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Maternal health outcomes in the US lag other developed nations. Major causes of maternal mortality include hemorrhage, infection, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions—most preventable with quality prenatal and postpartum care.
Louisville Context
Louisville reflects the national maternal health crisis. Contributing factors include lack of prenatal care (especially in West Louisville), implicit bias in healthcare, limited postpartum support, and healthcare deserts in underserved neighborhoods. Many maternal deaths occur in the postpartum period when women have lost pregnancy-related insurance coverage and lack follow-up care.
Why It Matters
Mothers dying from preventable pregnancy complications is a moral catastrophe. These deaths are largely preventable through improved prenatal care access, provider bias training, postpartum home visits, and Community Health Workers supporting high-risk pregnancies. Maternal health disparities demand urgent action.
My Proposal
My Community Wellness Centers will prioritize maternal health through Community Health Workers providing home visits throughout pregnancy and postpartum, prenatal education classes, connections to prenatal care, and postpartum support groups. All pregnant women in participating neighborhoods receive CHW support regardless of insurance. Services funded within $1.13 billion budget, targeting neighborhoods with highest maternal mortality.