Elevate conference held in Sikeston as pregnancy related deaths in Missouri continue to rise
SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – A conference to connect healthcare providers and mothers to support and resources to increase overall health to moms and babies was held Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The event was free and provided attendees with both breakfast and lunch.
According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Missouri has seen a steady increase in maternal mortality rates largely due to things like substance abuse and mental health disorders. The Elevate conference was held in Sikeston Thursda to help connect mothers and babies to health and resources in their area.
Currently, Missouri is measuring to be a maternity healthcare desert for birthing individuals and their families and children.
Recently, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services published a multiyear look at maternal mortality rates in Missouri. The findings showed at least 70 women die each year from pregnancy-related deaths. That number increased to 85 in 2020.
Christin Simpson is a family nurse practitioner. She says connecting women to resources is the first step.
“Thinking about how many different organizations have like-minded missions so that we can partner together to strengthen our resources. How can we share insight about our resources for the insight we develop to really have an impact on the communities that we serve,” said Simpson.
The conference connected professionals dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes for mothers and babies and talked about resources such as mental health services.
Another reason mothers in Missouri are struggling is the growing issue of lack of care within a reasonable distance. The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform found that 19 of Missouri’s 57 rural hospitals are at risk of shutting down because of serious financial problems. This contributes to hardships for expecting and postpartum mothers.
Daniel Johnson is the office and data coordinator for Bootheel Babies and Families. He shares some of the issues they see mothers face.
“We have hospitals closing. Transportation is a very demand need which a lot of mothers don’t have it showcases the importances of those needs that mothers have so that we can all come together and try to fix this problem,” said Johnson.
Bootheel Babies and Families is a nonprofit organization that educates families and community partners to improve maternal and child outcomes. They currently cover six different counties including Stoddard, Mississippi, New Madrid, Dunklin, and Pemiscot counties with hopes of adding Cape Girardeau County.
If you are a mom in need of help or resources Johnson says to contact their office. You can reach out to Daniel Johnson or Sarah Peirce by email is daniel@bootheelbabies.org or sarah@bootheelbabies.org. The office number is 573-475-8688.
