Maternal and Child Health Report: Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

Report 1: Maternal and Child Health Among White Families

Demographics

• Age: The median age of mothers is 30 years old.

• Income: Median household income for white families is approximately $85,000.

• Education: Over 75% of mothers have at least some college education, with 45% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Number of Resident Births

• Total resident births: 9,800 births annually among white families in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

Local Clinical Outcomes

• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): 3.9 per 1,000 live births (lower than the state average of 4.1 and national average of 5.4).

• Preterm Birth Rate: 8% compared to 9% nationally.

• Low Birth Weight: 6.5%, better than the national average of 8%.

• Breastfeeding Initiation: 90% initiate breastfeeding, exceeding the Healthy People 2020 goal of 82%.

Report 2: Maternal and Child Health Among Black and Indigenous Families

Demographics

• Age: Median age of mothers is 26 years old for Black families and 24 years old for Indigenous families.

• Income: Median household income is $45,000 for Black families and $38,000 for Indigenous families.

• Education: Approximately 55% of Black mothers and 42% of Indigenous mothers have at least some college education.

Number of Resident Births

• Total resident births: 5,200 among Black families and 850 among Indigenous families annually in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

Local Clinical Outcomes

• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): 9.5 per 1,000 live births for Black families and 10.8 per 1,000 live births for Indigenous families (higher than the state average of 4.1 and national average of 5.4).

• Preterm Birth Rate: 13% for Black families and 14% for Indigenous families, compared to the national average of 9%.

• Low Birth Weight: 11% for Black families and 10% for Indigenous families, above the national average of 8%.

• Breastfeeding Initiation: 65% for Black families and 55% for Indigenous families, below the Healthy People 2020 goal of 82%.

Major Healthcare Problems

• Disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

• High rates of preterm births and low birth weight.

• Lower rates of access to consistent prenatal care and postpartum follow-ups.

Needs of Underserved

• Culturally appropriate and community-based prenatal and postpartum care programs.

• Access to affordable housing and nutritious food to address social determinants of health.

• Expanded maternal health education and outreach, especially for first-time mothers.

• Increased funding for programs addressing systemic racism in healthcare delivery.

Access to Care

• Barriers include discrimination within healthcare settings, transportation issues, and lack of insurance.

• Only 65% of Black mothers and 60% of Indigenous mothers receive early prenatal care in the first trimester.

• Limited availability of providers specializing in culturally sensitive care.

Contrasts with Healthy People 2020 Goals

• White families in Minneapolis-St. Paul generally meet or exceed goals in infant mortality, breastfeeding, and prenatal care access.

• Black and Indigenous families face significant disparities, falling short of goals in IMR, breastfeeding rates, and access to early prenatal care.

Suggested Recommendations for Improvement

1. Expand community health worker programs to provide tailored support for Black and Indigenous mothers.

2. Increase funding for mental health resources, particularly for postpartum depression.

3. Implement implicit bias training for healthcare providers.

4. Develop public health campaigns to promote breastfeeding among underserved populations.

5. Enhance data collection and monitoring to better address racial disparities in maternal and child health outcomes.

Snuggle House Foundation Initiatives

Snuggle House Foundation is actively addressing these disparities through several targeted programs:

1. Culturally Responsive Maternal Care:

• Provides training for healthcare providers on implicit bias and culturally sensitive care.

• Employs community health workers who share cultural backgrounds with Black and Indigenous families to improve trust and communication.

2. Access to Prenatal and Postpartum Resources:

• Partners with local clinics to offer free or reduced-cost prenatal care.

• Plans to include mobile health units to deliver services to underserved neighborhoods.

3. Maternal Mental Health Support:

• Offers free counseling and peer support groups specifically tailored for Black and Indigenous mothers experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety.

4. Nutrition and Wellness Programs:

• Provides healthy meal guidance and nutrition education workshops to pregnant and postpartum families.

• Collaborates with community organizations to address food insecurity.

5. Breastfeeding Support:

• Trains lactation consultants of diverse backgrounds to support breastfeeding among Black and Indigenous mothers.

• Operates breastfeeding support groups and lactation consultation services.

Citations

• Minnesota Department of Health: Birth Statistics Report, 2023.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Vital Statistics Reports, 2023.

• Healthy People 2020: Maternal and Child Health Objectives.

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): Social Determinants of Health in Minnesota, 2022.

• American Journal of Public Health: Disparities in Maternal Health Outcomes, 2021..