BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)–The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has released their report on the almost 70,000 births of 2022, and while it shows some progress, there are still significant racial disparities.
In the Bay State, the rate of severe maternal morbidity nearly doubled over the last decade. These unexpected and potentially life-threatening labor and delivery complications disproportionately affect people of color, and Black pregnant people have the highest rate of death from these complications.
Western Massachusetts lawmaker pushing for home care funding
A new Department of Public Health report shows that people of color continue to be at higher risk. The report shows overall rates of adequate prenatal care declining, with 82% of white people receiving adequate care versus just 66.6% of black people receiving adequate care.
The high rate of low birth weight has continued, and 1 out every 11 births happen preterm, but for black and Hispanic people, the rate is 1 out of every 9 births.