Between 2020 and 2024, significant health disparities persisted in Wake County. Black women faced the highest rates of severe pregnancy complications, and Hispanic mothers often lacked early prenatal care. Additionally, Black infants experienced higher rates of preterm birth, low birthweight and infant mortality compared to other groups
In response to these disparities, Wake County launched a new workgroup in 2025 on ensuring that Wake County mothers thrive, particularly during pregnancy, birth and in the year postpartum under the vision and leadership of Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas, Co-Chair Dauline Singletary and Co-Facilitator Lindsey Yates.
The goal of the workgroup is to make Wake County one of the safest places to give birth in North Carolina, where all birthing people, including Black women, feel seen, have adequate access to resources and know that their birth experiences and desires will be respected.
Members of the workgroup included representatives from community-based organizations, community residents with lived experience, clinicians, health and human services staff, hospital representatives, elected officials and others. The full workgroup met eight times over a period of 10 months. This report summarizes the work of the maternal and infant mortality workgroup, including recommendations going forward and community resources developed.
Findings from the report
Focus Area 1: Quality Perinatal Health Services
The goal for this focus area is to improve access to respectful, culturally competent, high‑quality prenatal and postpartum care. The group identified the following existing resources and ideas to improve perinatal health care and services:
Existing resources
- Women's Preventative Health & Prenatal Care services are located at Wake County Public Health Center & Four Regional Centers.
- NeighborHealth
- Wake County MCH Programs
- Behavioral Health funds provide Substance Use treatment & recovery support for pregnant & postpartum moms, through South Light Healthcare, UNC Horizons & ARISE health collective
Implementation Suggestions: to ensure that all mothers in Wake receives high quality maternal health care, clinical providers are supported and local hospitals are recognized for quality care.
- Implementation of Mama-Certified hospital badges,
- Workforce development and pipeline for perinatal clinicians, providers and support workers,
- Lead implementing entity that spearheads a comprehensive Perinatal Health Worker Coalition that streamlines communication
Gaps & Resources Needed
- Evidence-based trainings for maternal health providers
- Data on secondary education institution's ability to support perinatal health workforce development.
- Taskforce to connect Electronic Health Record Systems, to ensure providers are able to provide comprehensive care based on health records.
- Funding to support initiatives above
Focus Area 2: Women’s Health Promotion and Education
The goal for Focus Area 2 includes expanding education efforts that aide in increased awareness of urgent maternal health issues that can affect the overall health and wellbeing of women and birthing people during the preconception, prenatal and postpartum periods.
Existing Resources
- Women, Infant and Children(WIC) provides breastfeeding and nutritional support for families in Wake County.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has support for families who have love ones living with mental illnesses.
- Community organizations like Angel Prints, SAFEchild and SouthLight provide support for families experiencing bouts of grief, substance use and mental health disorders
Implementation Suggestions: to ensure that all mothers in Wake receives high quality maternal health care, clinical providers are supported and local hospitals are recognized for quality care.
- Hear Her campaign materials should be readily available to community partners, parents and members of the village.
Gaps & Resources Needed
- Additional information that includes the presence of cultural representation and needs throughout Wake County,
- Awareness of community organizations that serve as resource hubs, service providers and connectors
- Funding to support I Gave Birth and Hear Her campaigns throughout Wake County
Focus Area 3: Community Engagement, Continuity of Care and Wrap-Around Care
This area was developed with the intention of ensuring that Wake County has community-based organizations that are prepared to support families during preconception, birth and postpartum periods then connect them to care as needed.
Existing Resources
- Wake Tech Comm. College offers Community Health Workers Certification Program
- As of 2021, there were 51 practicing doulas in Wake County,
- Best Baby Wake provides trainings for Birth & Postpartum Doulas, Community Lactation Support Professionals and Parenting Support.
- The Nurse-Family Partnership served 93 clients and supported 52 births.
- The Maternal & Child Health Resources Map highlights community organizations hosting support groups for pregnant & postpartum parents.
Implementation Suggestions: to ensure that all mothers in Wake receives high quality maternal health care, clinical providers are supported and local hospitals are recognized for quality care.
- Incorporation of a Perinatal CHW program (possible partnership between WTCC & DPH)
- Partner w/ GoWake to Identify locations/municipalities where transportation is a barrier to care.
- Identify an evidence-based home-visiting program that can support Wake County families
Gaps & Resources Needed
- Additional information that includes the presence of cultural representation and needs throughout Wake County,
- Awareness of community organizations that serve as resource hubs, service providers and connectors
- Funding to support I Gave Birth and Hear Her campaigns throughout Wake County
Focus Area 4: Early Childhood Education, Development and Care
This focus area serves as awareness that supporting parents understanding of developmental milestones, early childhood education, accessing quality childcare and supported return to work are all essential to the well-being of families with children ages 0-5.
Existing Resources
- Wake County Child Care Health Consultants (CCHC) supports safe, high quality childcare environments
- Child Care Subsidy Program helps families pay for childcare based on income, family size, and specific needs.
- NC Child Care Stabilization Grants support early care programs by funding operations, improving quality, and assisting families with access.
- CMARC provides care management for at-risk Medicaid-enrolled children (0-5) to address developmental, behavioral, and health needs.
- Wake County Smart Start supports early education and school readiness programs.
- SAFEchild BABY Program offers a 10-week class focused on postpartum and parenting support.
Implementation Suggestions: to ensure that all mothers in Wake receives high quality maternal health care, clinical providers are supported and local hospitals are recognized for quality care.
- Pilot a childcare scholarship/subsidy program for low-income children.
- Partner with Chamber of Commerce and employers to expand childcare support.
- Explore workplace childcare options and daycare partnerships.
- Partner with local businesses to increase lactation spaces.
- Identify sustainable funding and scale successful programs.
- Evaluate impact of childcare and lactation initiatives.
Gaps & Resources Needed
- Limited data on availably and quality of childcare providers in Wake County.
- Limited information on workplace lactation spaces.
- Need or increased childcare access and affordability.
- Need for more employer support for working parents.
Workgroup Next Steps
The goal is to see healthy babies thrive in Wake County, no matter their race or ZIP code. Follow along with us.
Save the date: Maternal and Child Health Town Hall, Thursday, July 17, at 6 p.m.
Data
- Infant Mortality Workgroup Report: 2020
- Wake County Resident Births for 2021
- Risk Factors and Characteristics for North Carolina Resident Live Births: 2022
- Risk Factors and Characteristics for North Carolina Resident Infant Deaths: 2022
- 2024 Maternal and Child Health Report
- 2025 Maternal and Infant Mortality Report
Community Town Hall for Maternal and Child Health - Tuesday, July 16
Join us for a community town hall focused on maternal and infant health. This session will include a brief overview of the Maternal and Infant Mortality Report, a panel discussion with health professionals and an open Q&A with community members.
Tell us your story
Have you experienced the loss of an infant? Know someone who has? Your story may give insight to help our team find the root causes of this gap in our community.
*Please note that we cannot guarantee confidentiality due to N.C. public records law. If you’d like to share your story confidentially, please call us at 919-215-1802.
Community Maternal & Child Health Resource Map
The map below highlights essential maternal and child resources available throughout Wake County including things like OB/GYN providers, lactation rooms, breastfeeding support, doula services, women and children shelters, food pantries, childcare and more.
Does your organization have resources to include on the map above? Fill out our form to be included!