Item Description:
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Establish Birth Justice Community Advisory Board - Offered by Commissioner Lunde
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WHEREAS:
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WHEREAS, the creation of a Birth Justice Community Advisory Board is necessary to further advance the work currently spearheaded by the Birth Justice Collaborative (BJC), and to establish a formal mechanism for stakeholders to provide input and recommendations on maternal health equity matters affecting the county. The advisory board will provide a platform for diverse perspectives and expertise to be heard and considered in policy decision-making processes. The BJC will continue to convene and coordinate community, systems, and professional birth and cultural workers to implement and evaluate the birth justice strategic plan created and initiated in 2023.
WHEREAS Minnesota experiences some of the worst disparities associated with maternal mortality rates, with Black and American Indian people experiencing the highest birth deaths and complications. Black women are 2.3 times more likely to die of pregnancy- or childbirth related causes than their white counterparts, and the American Indian maternal mortality rate is about four times higher. The purpose of this amendment would be to formalize a diverse community advisory board comprised of professional, cultural, and community-based care providers that have direct experience supporting birthing people throughout the various hospitals, birth centers, clinics, and community settings in Hennepin County. They would be tasked with identifying and implementing priority strategies for advancing maternal health and provide recommendations on how to better birth outcomes and experiences for Black and American Indian birthing people.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners hereby establishes the Birth Justice Community Advisory Board to provide advice and recommendations to the board on maternal health equity matters affecting the county; and
BE IT FURTHE...
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