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Senate Resolution 191
By: Senators Jackson of the 41st, James of the 28th, Wicks of the 34th, Merritt of the 9th,
Sims of the 12th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing Black maternal health statistics; and for other purposes.
1
WHEREAS, the United States has the highest rates of maternal mortality among higher2
income countries. There are an estimated 700 to 900 deaths per year in the United States that3
are pregnancy related, and another 50,000 persons suffer from severe complications; and4
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 80 percent5
of pregnancy related deaths in the United States are preventable; and6
WHEREAS, in Georgia, four in five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable; and7
WHEREAS, health care improvement initiatives are necessary to ensure that all people who8
are pregnant or postpartum receive the right care at the right time; and9
WHEREAS, the United States has an infant mortality rate that is greater than most10
higher-income countries. Currently, the United States is ranked 33 out of 36 countries11
belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), with12
an average of 5.58 deaths per 1,000 live births; and13
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WHEREAS, racism and racial bias in healthcare systems contribute to both the national
14
maternal mortality and morbidity crisis and infant mortality and morbidity, in particular for15
pregnant and postpartum persons and infants who are Black; and16
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare longstanding racial and socioeconomic17
inequities in our healthcare system; and18
WHEREAS, one of the essential goals of the state Department of Public Health is to reduce19
health and mental health disparities among vulnerable and underserved communities to20
achieve health equity throughout Georgia. This essential goal should extend to health equity21
for Black birthing people and babies; and22
WHEREAS, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related23
causes than non-Hispanic white women, and access to prenatal care, socioeconomic status,24
and general physical health do not fully explain the disparity seen in maternal mortality and25
morbidity rates among Black individuals; there is a growing body of evidence that Black26
persons are often treated unfairly and unequally in the health care system; and27
WHEREAS, Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the United States at28
almost twice the national rate; and29
WHEREAS, in Georgia, Black women are almost three times more likely to die from30
pregnancy related causes than non-Hispanic white women; and 31
WHEREAS, Georgia has experienced a string of hospital labor and delivery closures across32
the state, especially in rural areas. In 2019, 93 of the 109 rural counties in Georgia lacked a33
hospital labor and delivery unit, and 75 lacked an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN); and34
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WHEREAS, in Georgia, 34.6 percent of counties are defined as maternity care deserts
35
compared to 32.6 percent in the United States; and36
WHEREAS, chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity,37
and diabetes contribute to high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. In Georgia, Black38
women have egregious above-average rates of all of these conditions, resulting in high-risk39
pregnancies and poor maternal health outcomes; and40
WHEREAS, Medicaid coverage for doula care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is41
linked to improved maternal and infant health outcomes, as doula-assisted mothers were four42
times less likely to have a baby with low birthweight, two times less likely to experience a43
birth complication for the mother or infant, and significantly more likely to initiate44
breastfeeding; and45
WHEREAS, access to quality prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care is essential to46
improving maternal health outcomes and reducing preventable maternal death.47
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body48
recognize Black maternal health statistics and acknowledge the need for healthcare49
improvements to achieve health equity.50
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed51
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the52
press.53
S. R. 191
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