📉 The Gist: Georgia faces a severe maternal mortality crisis, with one of the highest rates in the U.S., particularly impacting Black women and those in rural areas. To address this, State Representative Park Cannon and the Georgia House Democratic Caucus have organized a public hearing on January 4, 2024, aiming to develop policy solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
🔍 The Details: The hearing, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in room 606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building in Atlanta, aims to gather insights and suggestions for improving maternal health outcomes and reducing mortality rates.
👥 Participants: The Committee on Maternal Mortality includes Cannon, Vice Chair Rep. Karen Bennett, and State Representatives Saira Draper, Lydia Glaize, Karen Lupton, Ruwa Romman, Kim Schofield, and Ann Allen Westbrook. The committee invites public attendance and testimony, requesting relevant supporting documents by January 4, 2024.
📊 By The Numbers: The statistics on maternal mortality in Georgia, as reported by , multiple sources, present a concerning picture:
- According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, there has been an increase in pregnancy-related maternal deaths in Georgia. A pregnancy-related maternal death is defined as a death occurring during pregnancy or within one year of the end of pregnancy, caused by a complication of the pregnancy, a chain of events initiated by pregnancy, or the worsening of an unrelated condition due to the effects of pregnancy.
- Data compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics between 2018 and 2021 indicates that Georgia’s maternal mortality rate is among the worst in the country, with 33.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. The disparity is more pronounced among Black women in Georgia, who experienced 48.6 pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 live births compared to 22.7 deaths per 100,000 live births among non-Hispanic white women during the period 2018–2020.
📚 In Context: Georgia has faced challenges in maternal healthcare, with high mortality rates and disparities among different communities. Efforts to address these issues include policy changes, improved healthcare practices, and increased awareness.
🌐 Why It Matters: Addressing maternal mortality is crucial for the health and well-being of mothers and families in Georgia. The hearing represents a significant step towards understanding and tackling the factors contributing to high maternal mortality rates in the state.
🙋♀️ What You Can Do: Interested individuals can attend the hearing to offer insights or submit documents to park.cannon@house.ga.gov for consideration by the committee.
📅 What’s Next?: The hearing could lead to new policy proposals and actions aimed at reducing maternal mortality in Georgia. Further developments are expected following the event’s conclusions and the analysis of submitted documents and testimonies.
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