The US has a birth morbidity and mortality crisis, and Black, Indigenous, + Brown birthing people and babies are bearing the brunt of it.
According to the Center for Disease Control, Black women are three to four times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as their white peers. Similarly, in Rhode Island, there has been an increase in severe maternal morbidity rates, particularly among Black women (306.0 /10,000) compared to white women (179.4/10,000). Black women in the United States also suffer life-threatening pregnancy complications twice as often as white women. (Click here to see research)
Carrying a pregnancy should not put lives at risk. Birthing Parent + Fetal morbidity and mortality in the United States is a public health crisis and its severe impact on Black women and birthing people is unacceptable.
Evidence strongly suggests that access to doula support is likely to reduce these significant racial health disparities, yet doula care remains out of reach for many Rhode Islanders. Despite evidence supporting the life saving, and cost saving benefits, doula care is not covered by insurance in RI, and therefore is inaccessible to most families. Local activist groups (especially SISTA Fire RI, Umoja Nia collective, and Doulas of Rhode Island), healthcare advocates, a few key legislators, and engaged citizens like you are working hard to advocate for health insurance to cover perinatal doula services for all Rhode Islanders.
More Resources…
Rhode Island based:
SISTA FIRE aims to nurture a movement building culture in Rhode Island which centers the experience and leadership of women of color. By investing in women’s leadership capacity and creating space for women to build relationships, heal from their individual and collective trauma, develop their historic and systemic analysis, and strategize solutions, SISTA FIRE positions women of color to play a key civic role in the transformation of their communities.
Umoja Nia Collective is a RI based Perinatal Doula collective of unique, diverse Community Based Full Spectrum Doulas who provide a range of perinatal service to families in the State. Their mission is to provide education and awareness through best practices in peer support services to those seeking assistance with maternal health decisions. Those most impacted by environmental and social determinants of health is their focus.
Doulas of Rhode Island is a professional organization for doulas who serve families in the state of Rhode Island. The purpose of this organization, a statewide doula network, is to educate the local community about doulas and to provide easy access to doula services for Rhode Island and nearby area families.
National:
The Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance. We center Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.
SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collaborative is a Southern based, national membership organization; whose purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities.