Indiana’s Maternal Health Crisis: Higher Mortality Rates for Black Mothers and Babies

In Indiana, Black patients have a higher baby and maternal mortality rate than White patients, although having fewer births overall. According to U.S. News & World Report, only 26 hospitals in the country had “excellent outcomes” for cesarean sections and unanticipated neonatal problems among Black patients, with only one being in Indiana.

The distinction is given to hospitals that serve more than 20 Black patients per year and have C-section and infant complication rates that are less than a particular threshold.

St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago is the only hospital in the state with the “high performing” classification.

Dr. Hugh Mighty, an OB-GYN and senior vice president for health affairs at Howard University, stated that maternal mortality has not improved in the last two to three decades.

“I’d say in some ways we’ve gotten worse as the health care variables have changed, as access has changed, as obstetrical hospitals across the nation have shut down and created basically deserts where obstetrical care is inaccessible,” Mr. Mighty said.

Dr. Yolanda Lawson, an OB-GYN and president of the National Medical Association, stated that tackling the country’s maternal mortality epidemic requires expanding access to health care as well as other crucial health determinants like housing and food.

“It’s going to take a community and a collaborative approach to solve this problem,” said Lawson. “It should be well informed. It will take policymakers. It is going to take hospitals. It’s going to require doctors.”

Lawson also stated that there must be ongoing efforts to eliminate bias and discrimination in health care, as well as increased efforts to create trust with patients.

The list also includes three hospitals from neighboring states, two in Ohio and one in Michigan.