Lowcountry Hope: A Community's Fight Against Infant and Maternal Mortality

Infant and maternal mortality rates in South Carolina are still above the national average, despite a decrease in 2021. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reports that over 300 infants died in 2022, with birth defects, premature birth, and sudden infant death syndrome being the leading causes. The statistics are even more alarming when considering racial disparities, with Black women experiencing an 11% death rate compared to White women's 5% and Hispanic women's 4%. What's being done to address this issue? The IServeWithJoy organization, a community nonprofit, is hosting an 'All Things Baby' event to raise awareness about pregnancy-related mortality rates and provide resources and education to mothers. The event will feature workshops and panel discussions on topics such as nutrition, prenatal care, and development, as well as a giveaway of infant items like clothes and shoes. The goal is to empower mothers and caregivers with the knowledge and support they need to make informed decisions about their pregnancies and births. But is this initiative enough? While education and awareness are important steps, they may not be enough to address the root causes of infant and maternal mortality. What if the problem is more complex than just a lack of information? What if there are systemic issues at play, such as lack of access to healthcare, poverty, and racism, that need to be addressed? As one volunteer, Deya Smith, notes, "Just reducing it by the educational component and just bringing more information. . . again, we can't stop it per se, but we can definitely bring awareness to make mothers and parents and caregivers to make them aware and be able to help them long term. " Smith's words highlight the importance of community involvement and support, but also acknowledge the limitations of education alone in solving this complex problem. What if we looked beyond education and awareness to address the root causes of infant and maternal mortality? What could be done to reduce poverty, increase access to healthcare, and address systemic racism? These are questions that deserve exploration and discussion.