The UAB School of Nursing believes every family in Alabama should have the chance for a healthy start. Research shows a critical connection exists between the health of women and children and the health of a family. Because the health of Alabama’s women and children is among the worst in the country, the health of Alabama families is at high risk.
The March of Dimes gave Alabama a grade of “F” for maternal and infant health on their 2023 Report Card. Alabama’s preterm birth rate of 12.89% is the fourth highest rate among all 50 states. This statistic is far worse for African American mothers in Alabama who have a 16.9% preterm birth rate, 50% higher than the rate among all other women.
Mission
Lead, engage and sustain partnerships that promote health, shape policy, and ensure health equity for women and children.
Vision
A future where women and children in Alabama are healthy and achieving their highest potential.
Values
- Caring
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Diversity
- Excellence
- Innovation
- Integrity
Infant mortality rates are looked to by experts as an indication of overall health. Alabama’s infant mortality rate of 7.6 deaths per 1,000 live births is one of the highest in the nation. And African American babies in Alabama are far more likely to die before their first birthday than all other babies, with 11.2 deaths per 1,000 live births. Alabama’s maternal mortality rate of 41.4 per 100,000 women is twice the national rate and one of the worst rates in the nation. Again, racial differences are stark, with the mortality rate for African American women almost three times higher than that for white women.
While there is no one cause for Alabama’s dismal maternal/child health outcomes, the lack of access to primary, prenatal and postpartum care providers in rural and underserved areas of the state is a leading contributor. Alabama ranks last among the 50 states in numbers of women’s healthcare providers.
According to the March of Dimes 2023 report, 17.6% of Alabama women received inadequate prenatal care. Two-thirds of the state is categorized as not having adequate access to maternity care—only 29 of 67 counties have hospitals that deliver babies. The remaining counties have limited access to maternity care or are considered maternity care deserts where women are unable to access timely prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care.
Couple all of this with critical healthcare workforce shortages and you have a perfect storm that has drawn a fine line between life and death for Alabama’s women and children and paints a dismal picture for the health and future of all Alabamians.
With the help of dedicated community partners, the UAB SON has launched numerous successful clinical and educational programs that WACHI combines into a comprehensive initiative that harnesses the collective momentum and better leverages resources for greater impact across the entire state.
Mission
Lead, engage and sustain partnerships that promote health, shape policy, and ensure health equity for women and children.
Vision
A future where women and children in Alabama are healthy and achieving their highest potential.
Values
- Caring
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Diversity
- Excellence
- Innovation
- Integrity
WACHI Leadership Team
