Direct Relief and Birth Center Equity Partner to Fund Community Birth Centers in Underserved U.S. Regions
Direct Relief, in partnership with Birth Center Equity (BCE), has initiated a new program to invest in nonprofit community birth centers across the United States. This collaboration has resulted in $250,000 in grants awarded to five organizations located in Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and Washington. These funds are intended to expand prenatal, birth, postpartum, and preventive services tailored to the specific needs of the communities they serve. The initiative, named the inaugural Community Health Awards: Improving Family Wellbeing Through Community Birth Centers, aims to address the high maternal mortality rate in the U.S., particularly among Black and Indigenous mothers, and to combat the issue of maternity care 'deserts' where access to obstetric services is limited or nonexistent. The selected birth centers are primarily led by certified nurse-midwives, certified professional midwives, and certified midwives, offering comprehensive care throughout pregnancy and beyond. A second...
