Number
210006
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS, PEREZ, ZAMARRIPA, RAINEY, BORKOWSKI, AND SPIKER
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Health Department to identify and analyze the efficacy of the Health Department’s programs, policies, and initiatives that address Black maternal health.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Health Department to identify and analyze the efficacy of the Health Department’s programs, policies, and initiatives that address Black maternal health.
Body
Whereas, The Health Department provides the following services related to maternal health: Empowering Families of Milwaukee; Parents Nurturing & Caring for Their Children; Birth Outcomes Made Better Doulas; Direct Assistance for Project; Women, Infants, & Children; Community Healthcare Access Program; Strong Baby Title V Program; Cribs 4 Kids; Newborn Screening - Congenital Disorders; and Newborn Screening - Hearing; and
Whereas, According to a November 2021 article by Madeline Heim for the USA Today Network, advocates working to improve the health of Black mothers and babies say that when it comes to their field, Wisconsin has for years been in a state of emergency; and
Whereas, In Wisconsin, Black mothers are five times more likely than their white counterparts to die during or within one year of pregnancy, and Black infants’ risk of death is double the state average; and
Whereas, A 2014 report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found Wisconsin had the worst gap in the nation between outcomes for Black and white children; and
Whereas, Milwaukee is consistently ranked among the worst cities for Black Americans to live, according to an annual report from financial news company 24/7 Wall St.; and
Whereas, Reports from the Center on Wisconsin Strategy and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Population Health Institute, health disparities for Blacks and whites are significant; and
Whereas, Outcomes for all Black people are tied to the outcomes of Black mothers and birthing people; and
Whereas, Wisconsin’s death rate of infants born to Black mothers is the highest in the nation; and
Whereas, Structural inequity, such as decreased access to high-quality medical care and explicit bias in healthcare settings, drives these outcomes; and
Whereas, In 2019, Milwaukee’s infant mortality rate was 8.4 per 1,000 births, with a rate of 3.3 for white mothers, 12.4 for Black mothers, and 20 for the 53206 ZIP code; and
Whereas, Birth outcomes in Milwaukee for Black babies and mothers is a significant and growing crisis; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Health Department are directed to identify and analyze the efficacy of the Health Department’s programs, policies, and initiatives that address Black maternal health; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Health Department are directed to report their findings to the Common Council six months after adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 176660-1
Tea B. Norfolk
2/9/2022