Accolade comes during Black Maternal Health Week 2024
ANTIOCH, Calif. – Sutter Delta Medical Center is being recognized for its success in supporting Black maternal health by U.S. News & World Report for Black Maternal Health Week 2024.
U.S. News’ analysis of all High-Performing Maternity Care Hospitals in the U.S. identified just 26 hospitals nationwide achieving excellent outcomes for cesarean section and unexpected newborn complications among Black patients. This national recognition acknowledges success in low rates of cesarean (C-section) births among first-time patients with low-risk pregnancies, which is a marker of obstetric care quality.
Sutter hospitals, which have among the lowest C-section rates in California, have developed and implemented many programs over the past decade to improve the care and safety of patients and babies through pregnancy, labor and delivery.
“At Sutter Health, we view health equity as a fundamental component of delivering quality healthcare,” said Stephanie Brown, M.D., MPH, medical director of Sutter Health’s Institute for Advancing Health Equity. “And we’re committed to being a national leader in helping end racial disparities in maternity care—within our health system and across the country.”
“I’m thrilled Sutter Delta Medical Center was recognized as 1 of only 26 hospitals in the United States designated as high performing in maternal care outcomes for Black patients,” said Tosan O. Boyo, president of Sutter Health’s Greater East Bay Market, “Congratulations to Sutter Delta’s Labor and Delivery team for providing outstanding and equitable care to our patients. Thank you for walking the talk to eliminate health disparities.”
U.S. News identified hospitals that were rated High Performing in U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, served at least 20 Black patients per year and had newborn complication rates of less than 2.62% and C-section rates of less than 23.9% (among hospitals providing a higher level of care) or 23.6% (among hospitals not providing a higher level of care) among Black patients.
“For Black Maternal Health Week 2024, we celebrate these hospitals’ success in their important work supporting and advancing Black maternal health as part of U.S. News’ ongoing commitment to health equity and our support of women’s access to maternity care,” said Jennifer Winston, Ph.D., health data scientist at U.S. News.
Founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), Black Maternal Health Week is held every April as part of National Minority Health Month; this year is the seventh annual observation of Black Maternal Health Week. Today in the U.S., a Black woman is nearly three times more likely to die from preventable or treatable pregnancy-related complications than a white woman.
