A new program in Boston aims to improve health outcomes for families of color with newborns, addressing racial inequalities in maternal and infant health.
Fourteen families took part in the 10-week meal delivery program, organized by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC). Along with meal deliveries, these families received at-home visits from nurses and were connected to other health programs to support them during the postpartum period.
The initiative was inspired by findings from BPHC’s 2023 Maternal and Child Health of Boston Report. According to Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, BPHC’s executive director, the report revealed that the infant mortality rate among Black infants in Boston is more than twice the citywide average and over three times higher than the rate for white infants. Additionally, Black infants are more likely to be born prematurely or with low birth weight.
State data also shows that Black women in Massachusetts are 1.9 times more likely to die during pregnancy or within a year after childbirth. They face a 70% higher risk of severe maternal health issues.
Families were chosen for the pilot program based on their involvement in the Boston Health Start Initiative or through seeking services at health care centers in Dorchester, Roxbury, or Mattapan. The program provided participating families with snacks and two meals each week.
Maggie Pearson, founder of the meal delivery service Feast & Fettle, which provided the meals for this program, shared her personal insight: “As a mother of two myself, I know how vital and how hard the postpartum period is, mentally and emotionally.”
This program represents a significant step in addressing health disparities and providing essential support to families in need.
