Credit: Chris Allen / Black Voice News

New maternal health model coming to CaliforniaThe big idea: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has selected 15 states to implement Transforming Maternal Health, a new model that looks to improve health care for mothers and children. California has been chosen as one of those states, according to Black Voice News.Fine print: Five counties with the greatest need were picked for the new model: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare. The ten-year initiative will take a “whole-person approach” in those areas, from pregnancy to childbirth to postpartum care. The goal is to improve access to care, quality and safety of treatment, infrastructure and workforce capacity, as well as reduce program costs. In the new model, that will mean fewer low-risk cesareans, lower morbidity rates, and higher usage of midwives, doulas, and birth centers.What the numbers say: Compared with other high-income nations, the United States has the highest maternal and infant mortality rates — and Black women have the highest maternal mortality rates — despite spending the most money per person on maternal health, according to The Commonwealth Fund.From the source: “This model will allow us to test innovative approaches to maternal health care, ensuring that every pregnant Medi-Cal member, regardless of their background or circumstances, receives the care they need to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery,” said Michelle Baass, Department of Health Care Services Director, in a statement.More from Black Voice News →

Credit: Mohamed Ibrahim | Sahan Journal

Minneapolis commits to lead replacement in high-priority neighborhoodsThe big idea: The City of Minneapolis has a lead paint and pipe problem, with 80% of its homes built before the stuff was outlawed in 1978. Now, a new surge of state and federal funding is supporting replacement efforts at no cost to residents, Sahan Journal reports.What the numbers say: In 2025, the city plans to replace 1,000 lead pipes that service 40,000 homes, as well as continue education and testing events around the city. There were over 100 cases of lead poisoning in Hennepin County in 2023.The stakes: Lead poisoning through paint dust or contaminated water can seriously harm people’s health. Children and pregnant people are especially vulnerable to brain damage and nervous system issues. However, there are not many visible symptoms at first — only a blood test can catch it early. From the source: A blood test was how one Minneapolis mother, Jamie Laudert, discovered the problem in her 100-year old home: both her one- and two-year-old tested positive for elevated levels of lead during a checkup. After that, the city stepped in to assess and update her home. “We don’t want our children to be used as lead detectors, and we want to make sure that all houses in Minneapolis are safe,” said Alex Vollmer, manager of the city’s Lead and Healthy Homes program, at a news conference. More from Sahan Journal →

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12 days of self-carePro tip: To celebrate the end of 2024 and start of the new year, PushBlack posted a “12 days of Christmas” -esque self-care ritual on its Instagram. Yet it’s a good routine to stay healthy, grounded, and connected year-round. Try it out: A restful one hour nap; two gratitude calls to friends; three hours of community service; four minutes of meditation; five wishes for Black liberation; six hydrating glasses of water; seven hours of joy; eight manifestations for 2025; nine things to toss from your living space; ten minutes of doing absolutely nothing; add 11 songs to a joyful movement playlist; and last, but not least, a 12 hour break from social media. More from PushBlack →

Highlighting the innovators transforminghealth outcomes in our communities

The story:

Fringe Pilates in Flatbush, Brooklyn, offers a safe space for women of color to focus on their health with small and inclusive classes, personal support, and strong community. It is

featured in a roundup

of small health and wellness businesses, compiled by

Epicenter NYC

.

At the center:

Owner Tayler “Tay” Milburn started the studio after she healed from a health scare with Pilates. A former kindergarten teacher, Milburn brings her teaching experiences to the studio to help clients feel at home.

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Credit: Jay Charlii