Healthy Birth Initiatives in Multnomah County serves Black families to ensure healthy moms and babies

Black mothers experience higher maternal death rates than any other racial or ethnic group in the U.S. In Multnomah County, the Healthy Birth Initiatives program provides those moms with case management, respite care, breastfeeding support and access to community health nurses and other resources to support healthy outcomes for babies and families. Desha Reed-Holden, a senior program specialist, says the only requirements are that families are Black, live in the county and are having a baby. Roberta Suzette Hunte had both of her children with the support of the program. She says the culturally specific wrap around care she received was invaluable. She particularly valued the home visits and more broadly, having a buffer between herself and the rest of the maternal healthcare system. Hunte and Reed-Holden join us to talk about the need for the initiative and the results it delivers to clients.

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