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The Need for Equity

Why:  

  • Colorado sees approximately 62,300 live births per year. 

  • About 40% of Colorado counties are identified as maternal care deserts, with many also considered mental health and substance use treatment shortage areas. 

  • 34% of deliveries in Colorado are covered by Medicaid. 

  • Of the 40% of Health First Colorado births (Medicaid), birthing parents self-identify as: 

  • 29% Latino

  • 5% Black 

  • 4.4% Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI)

  • 0.6% American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN)

Maternal death during pregnancy and the first year postpartum are significantly increased for the following groups: 
Maternal.png
23 of Colorado’s 64 counties are considered frontier, which may consist
of this following:  
  • 6 or fewer residents per square mile (aka Population Density)
  • ​Distance to service or market is between 30 and 90 miles
  • Travel to service or market is between 30 to 90 minutes 
map.png

Maps. (2024). Colorado Rural Health Center | Independent, nonprofit, membership-based organization that serves as the State Office of Rural Health. https://coruralhealth.org/resources/maps -resource 

How: 

1. Reduce the Impact of Current Mental Health Disparity Concerns Associated with Maternal Mortality: 

  • Increase awareness of perinatal health equity concerns impacting birthing individuals in Colorado. 

  • Support the development of Colorado PROSPER initiatives with considerations for cultural humility and trauma-informed care. 

  • Inform sustainable and equitable changes in mental health service delivery that are mindful of diverse perinatal populations. 

2. ​Increase Access to Appropriate Mental Health and Recovery Services Amongst Diverse Perinatal Populations: 

  • Enhance outreach efforts to educate and inform providers about available mental health services. 

  • Collaborate with local organizations to expand service networks and reduce barriers to access. 

  • Advocate for policy changes that ensure mental health services are inclusive and accessible to all perinatal individuals. 

3. Support Identification of Services That Are Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate: 

  • Consult with providers to help identify gaps in culturally and linguistically appropriate services. 

  • Provide training and resources for service providers on cultural humility and trauma-informed care. 

  • Develop and disseminate materials and resources tailored to the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse perinatal populations. 

References:

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. (2023, April). An Analysis of 2020 Health First Colorado Births. HCPF | Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. https://hcpf.colorado.gov/sites/hcpf/files/HCPF%20Maternal%20Health%20Equity%20Report_April%202023.pdf 

 

Maps. (2024). Colorado Rural Health Center | Independent, nonprofit, membership-based organization that serves as the State Office of Rural Health. https://coruralhealth.org/resources/maps -resource 

 

Maternal Mortality in Colorado, (2016-2020). Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. 2023 March of Dimes Report Card for Colorado (2022, 2023) 

 

Rural Health Information Hub. (2023, November 1). Health and healthcare in frontier areas overview. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/frontier 

 

Snapshot of rural health. (2024). Colorado Rural Health Center | Independent, nonprofit, membership-based organization that serves as the State Office of Rural Health. https://coruralhealth.org/snapshot-of-rural-health 

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