The Department of Public Health said Wednesday that 12 organizations will receive $4.5 million in total to address inequities in birth outcomes. [Health News Illinois]

The grants, part of the Gov. JB Pritzker’s birth equity initiative that passed last year, range from $100,000 to $700,000. While organizations will use the funds differently, the goal is to support “innovative, community-based efforts” that can reduce inequities in historically underserved communities, according to IDPH. 

“We’re grateful to our community-based grantees who are assisting pregnant women and families to drive healthier births, improve long-term health outcomes and create more culturally responsive care infrastructure,” Pritzker said in a statement.

A 2023 IDPH report found Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions than white women.

Other state efforts include a new law that tasks insurers with covering all pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by perinatal doulas and licensed certified professional midwives.

See the full list of recipients here.

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