Black maternal and infant health aren’t just a national crisis — they are proving to be a regional one as well as more women experience less-than-favorable birthing conditions.

Nationally and regionally, maternal mortality rates for Black mothers are significantly higher than those of White mothers, data shows. Meanwhile, Black mothers are more likely to have a baby with a low birthweight, according to health officials in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

In the Inland Empire, maternal health experts say there is opportunity to improve these metrics — so long as there are those willing to put in the work.

“I think the reason that they’re experiencing these outcomes is simply because there are not a lot of providers that are practicing through a cultural or responsive lens. And ther

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