Black women face alarming maternal mortality rates. New Tennessee law aims to change that

Despite Black residents comprising 17% of Knoxville's population, statistics from the Knox County Health Department reveal a stark disparity: In 2017 alone, the infant mortality rate for Black babies was four and a half times higher than that of white babies.

In addition, the National Center for Health Statistics in 2022 gave Knox County a grade of C+ or 9.6% for preterm birth rates, or the percentage of live births that occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

A new Tennessee law taking effect July 1 aims to tackle severe maternal health care disparities statewide, a critical issue as Tennessee currently ranks third worst in the nation for maternal health.

The law seeks to improve access to quality care for expectant mothers, particularly in Black and underserved communities, and to address the alarming rates of maternal mortality and complications for women.

Two women from Knoxville have emerged as key champions in the battle to address the crisis as their advocacy, along with activists across the state, aided in the landmark legislative change this April, culminating in the passage of the Tennessee Maternal Health Equity Advisory Committee Act.

During a June 17 meeting to educate Knoxville community members on the impact of the new law, Alexis Alsup, founder of Empowered Doula Services, and Femeika Elliott, owner of the Lotus Program, discussed the disparities among Black women, women of color and those from rural areas who are deprived of access to quality health care.

“We are in a state of emergency that requires urgency for women, and this work is a testament to the power of grassroots collaboration in effecting positive change,” Alsup said. "Women deserve to be heard and advocated for all stages of their lives, from conception to postpartum.”

What to know about the law

Sponsored by state Sen. London Lamar of Memphis and state Rep. Harold Love of Nashville, the law aims to improve maternal health in Tennessee by increasing access to prenatal and postnatal care, particularly in underserved and rural areas and establishes an advisory committee that will work to ensure improved maternal health care across the state.

The new law will expand Medicaid coverage to ensure more women receive the care they need during and after pregnancy. It includes plans to establish mobile health clinics for remote areas and to enhance telehealth services for ongoing support.

The measure also focuses on educating and supporting new mothers by providing resources and training for health care providers on best practices and culturally sensitive care. Through community outreach programs, it aims to lower the state's high maternal mortality rate by teaching women about the importance of early and regular prenatal care.

Tennessee's maternal health ranking sparks urgent action

The Tennessee Maternal Health Equity Advisory Committee Act was created to tackle the big differences in maternal health outcomes among different racial and ethnic groups in the state. Tennessee has struggled with high maternal mortality rates, especially among Black women and other minorities, who face more complications and deaths during pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women. These problems are due to issues such as poor access to health care, lack of insurance and biases in the health care system.

What will the Tennessee Maternal Health Equity Advisory Committee Act do?

The act creates a committee that will work to ensure all women in Tennessee have equal access to maternal health care.

This committee will include health care providers, public health experts, community leaders and maternal health advocates. They will study data on maternal health, identify causes of disparities and recommend policies to improve fairness in health care. The committee will regularly report its findings and suggestions to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Engaging with the community is essential, so the committee will hold public hearings and gather input from affected women. The act also sets up a framework to put the committee’s recommendations into action, ensuring real improvements in maternal health equity.

Data exposes Tennessee's problems in maternal health care

According to the most recent data from the March of Dimes report card for Tennessee in 2023:

• Tennessee ranks third-worst in the nation for maternal health.
• The state's maternal mortality rate stands at 41.7 per 100,000 births, significantly higher than the national average.
• Approximately 32.6% of Tennessee counties are classified as maternity care deserts, with little to no access to birthing facilities and maternal care providers.
• In Tennessee, 17% of people giving birth receive inadequate prenatal care, compared to the national rate of 14.8%.
• Women with chronic health conditions in Tennessee are 50% more likely to have preterm births.
• Black women in Tennessee are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to white women.
• The overall maternal mortality rate in the state is nearly double the national average, at 26 per 100,000 live births.

Angela Dennis is the Knox News race, justice and equity reporter. Email angela.dennis@knoxnews.com.

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