Cook County 6th District Commissioner Donna Miller hosted the inaugural meeting of the first Maternal Health and Morbidity Task Force on Thursday, Jan. 23, bringing together public health officials, policymakers and healthcare advocates from across the region to address the urgent maternal health crisis affecting communities across the country.
Through a virtual meeting, the Task Force was able to bring together representatives from Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane and Will Counties to focus on reducing maternal mortality rates and addressing inequities that disproportionately impact communities of color.
The meeting provided a platform for members to share data, resources and innovative approaches to maternal health care. The Maternal Health and Morbidity Task Force also explored legislative priorities and funding opportunities to support these initiatives.
“The maternal health crisis demands immediate and coordinated action,” Miller said. “As leaders, we have the responsibility to ensure that every mother, regardless of her ZIP code, has access to quality care and resources. This task force is an essential step toward addressing disparities and improving outcomes for mothers and families in our communities.”
The meeting featured presentations from Christina Urbina, business service line director for Cook County Health’s Women and Children unit. Also,Amy Sloan-Gray, Brightpoint’s director of education and child development services; Jasmine Martin,
Brightpoint’s Doula Program supervisor; and Mendy Smith, vice president of early childhood education.
“Sometimes, as a doula, you’re the only person in that room with a family or a woman giving birth. You can only imagine how scary that would be if they didn’t have anybody else with them,” Sloan-Gray said. “Standing beside them to advocate for their own healthcare needs is really important. Whether it is a teen mother, a teen family, or a minority family, encouraging them to advocate for themselves is vital.”
For more information on the Regional Maternal Health and Morbidity Task Force and how to get involved, contact [email protected] or 773-848-0501.
