Conversation series to focus on reducing the state's maternal mortality rates
By Kassidy Arena 
, Senior Reporter Nebraska Public Media News
20 de Enero de 2024 a las 12:00 ·
The Nebraska Maternal Mortality Review Committee is hosting a four-part series of conversations with birthing people across the state. The data will be used to provide the state with best practices and recommendations on how to reduce maternal mortality rates.
According to the latest data released in 2021, three in four deaths were determined to be preventable.
The conversations will be held by the committee's volunteers in Omaha, Lincoln, Nebraska City and Kearney. In Omaha, it will be centered on the experience of Black moms and birthing people. And in Kearney, the session will be hosted in both English and Spanish.
“That's really important because we know that there are unjust inequities that are experienced within the Black birthing community, as well as among Latinx, Latina, Hispanic mothers," Sarah Sjolie, one of the co-facilitators said.
Registration is required to participate and children are welcome. Dinner and a $35 incentive will be provided to those who sign up.
“We hope that participants walk away with a feeling of safety, that they were heard, that their ideas were welcomed and that their ideas are going to be lifted up to the state to look at and take action upon," Sjolie said.
The results of the sessions will also be shared with those who participated to be edited, enhanced and confirmed. From there, the reports will be consolidated into common themes to be implemented into the Maternal Mortality Review Committee's future plans.
"I don't think that moms and birthing people have enough safe spaces to just share either positive or negative stories. And these are transformational times in people's lives," she added.
They will be focusing on three themes in these sessions, including connected social support, inclusivity and human dignity, and getting people the right care at the right time.
Sessions:
Omaha: Jan. 23, UNO Community Engagement Center
Lincoln: Jan. 26, Bess Dodson Walt Branch Library
Nebraska City: Feb. 24
Kearney: March 2