Grassroots groups lead the way on closing Colorado’s infant mortality gap – By Rae Ellen Bichell (Colorado Sun) / June 13, 2022
Colorado is among about 15 states that have met federal goals to reduce infant mortality. Breaking down the data by race and ethnicity, though, makes clear that major gaps remain.
As Britney Taylor toured the Mama Bird Maternity Wellness Spa during its grand opening this spring, she reflected on the birth of her first child: a confusing and lonely experience that resulted in an unplanned cesarean section and an extended period of postpartum depression.
But here in Aurora, local families and smiling doulas wandered amid a bright space resonating with upbeat music where primarily women of color can get massages, meet with birth professionals and support groups, and attend classes on breastfeeding, childbirth, and infant care.
“This is perfect,” Taylor said. Her next birth, she said, “will be completely different.”
About 12 miles away in northeast Denver, staff members at the Families Forward Resource Center were readying a room where families that might have a hard time getting to the doctor will be able to easily meet with clinical staff about their medical questions. They also were preparing to hire a doula trainer to help increase the local number of birthing support workers of color.
CONTINUE > https://coloradosun.com/2022/06/13/infant-mortality-colorado-racism/
