Newsom signs bill to reduce maternal and child deaths | New

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Momnibus Act on October 4, which aims to reduce child mortality, especially among black families and people of color. Image courtesy of William Fortunato / pexels.com.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a bill intended to help reduce the state’s maternal and child mortality rates, especially among black families and people of color.

Senate Bill 65, known as Momnibus Act, requires the state Department of Public Health to track and analyze maternal and infant deaths with the aim of improving state data collection on factors that contribute to maternal and infant deaths and to other health problems.

While the state’s infant mortality rate is lower than the national average, the numbers for black and Native American infants are higher than the state average. The death rate for pregnant and postpartum black residents is also higher than the state average, according to data from the state’s Health and Human Services Agency.

“While we want to improve health outcomes, pregnancy outcomes, eliminate all infant and maternal mortality, we have to accept that there is a blatant racial disparity, and Momnibus is responding to it,” the SB author said. 65, Senator Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. Monday during a virtual invoice signing ceremony.

Newsom acknowledged that the state’s maternal and child mortality disparities have not improved even though mortality rates have declined overall.