Maternal mortality rates are increasing in the US, contrary to trends in other high-income countries. In the US, substantial racial and ethnic inequities in maternal health outcomes exist, with Black individuals experiencing the greatest inequities and the worst health outcomes.
The Sacramento Perinatal Health Equity Initiative has prioritized access to midwifery care as an important strategy to improve perinatal health equity. However, little information is available about the midwifery workforce in the Sacramento region and the challenges and opportunities for expanding midwifery practice. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) were commissioned to survey and interview midwives in Sacramento and surrounding counties to learn more about where and how midwives practice and to identify challenges and opportunities to improving access to midwifery care for Black/African American and underserved individuals. The report and appendices with additional survey and interview findings are available below.