Why Are Black Women In Illinois Way More Likely To Die From Pregnancy Complications?

In Illinois, Black women are three times more likely to die from complications due to pregnancy than white women. That rate is even higher in Chicago.

The state, Cook County, and hospitals have experimented with different efforts to address the dangers to Black mothers, including boosting access to doulas. For Black Maternal Health Week, In the Loop looks at the strides made in improving birth outcomes for Black mothers, and the work that still needs to be done.

Our panel today: Michelle Adeniyi, director of maternal and child health at March of Dimes; Dr. Carmen Adams, obstetrics and gynecology with Cook County Health; Raeshanda Payne, doula, Cook County Health; and doula Nikena Hannah.

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.