Michigan maternal mortality rates rising, United Way Summer Discovery program

This Week on American Black Journal:

Maternal mortality rates rising in Michigan, disproportionally impacting Black mothers

Michigan has experienced a rise in maternal deaths, as highlighted in an in-depth report by Detroit News, produced through the New York and Michigan Solutions Journalism Collaborative. Annually, between 80 and 90 maternal deaths are recorded, with data from 2011 to 2020 revealing an upward trend, including a notable 33.6% increase from 2019 to 2020.

Of particular concern is the disproportionate impact on women of color. Black mothers are more than 75% more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White mothers. From 2016 to 2020, nearly three-quarters of pregnancy-related deaths in the state were deemed preventable.

Efforts to mitigate this alarming trend are underway in Michigan. Michigan’s maternal mortality rate of 19.4 deaths per 100,000 births from 2018 to 2021, while lower than some states, leaves significant room for improvement, according to the Detroit News report.

Host Stephen Henderson speaks with Dawn Shanafelt, Director of the Division of Maternal & Infant Health in the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services. They talk about the root causes of maternal deaths, the disparities among women of color, and actionable steps toward safeguarding maternal health across Michigan.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Ballmer Group unveil new Summer Discovery program

In a collaborative effort to combat summer learning loss and bridge educational disparities, United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Ballmer Group have unveiled the new Summer Discovery program. The program provides essential funding and support for instructional and enrichment activities tailored for K-8 students across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties during the summer break.

The program addresses concerns raised by a recent survey conducted by United Way, which found that 76% of parents and 82% of community leaders perceive a lack of sufficient summer enrichment programs in the region. Moreover, 68% of parents cited transportation and cost as barriers to accessing existing programs.

The Summer Discovery program is tailored to the specific needs of Southeast Michigan students, offering activities that not only enhance academic skills but also foster career exploration and family engagement. The program includes meals, transportation, and additional support services to students.

Host Stephen Henderson talks with United Way for Southeastern Michigan Vice President of Community Impact Jeff Miles and Detroit Parent Network CEO Jametta Lilly about how the program is designed to help prevent summer learning loss. They also talk about how parents’ voices are vital to the programming and selection of providers.

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