The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, with Black women being four times more likely to die than white women. Louisiana ranks low in maternal mortality and lacks mental health services, contributing to pregnancy-associated deaths. Initiatives like the Louisiana Mental Health Perinatal Partnership and the Doula Registry Board aim to address mental health needs during pregnancy and postpartum. These programs face challenges due to limited resources and lack of support from policymakers. Improving maternal mental health is crucial for overall maternal health outcomes and requires federal and state backing to succeed and reduce preventable maternal deaths.
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Reducing maternal mortality rates means investing in mental health
