ABEI aims to improve access to care for women in Alabama amid increased rural hospital closures and a statewide abortion ban.

“We see the disparities across the entire system as it relates to access and outcomes for both mothers and babies in the State of Alabama,” said Heather Skanes, MD, OBGYN, and CEO of Oasis Women’s Health. “There is limited access to Black midwives, OBGYNs, and doulas for people of color, especially those who live in rural areas.”

Understanding the maternal health landscape and those working to improve it, Jenice Fountain, executive director of the Yellowhammer Fund, brought together a group of organizations improving maternal health outcomes and access to create the Alabama Birth Equity Initiative (ABEI). The initiative consists of Chocolate Milk Mommies, Margins: Women Helping Black Women, The Alabama Birth Center, and Oasis Women’s Health.

The goal of ABEI is to improve maternal and infant mortality in Alabama by creating a pathway to train and produce more skilled licensed midwives, increase the deployment of mobile health units into rural areas, and boost advocacy efforts to expand prenatal access and funding for birth centers. Alabama currently has roughly 40 black midwives—a number the initiative is looking to increase by 10 within a year.

“Because our goals are so big for the state, we needed to come together to bring more funding to Alabama and create a process to properly disperse it, not just for our organizations, but for the community as well,” said Dr. Skanes.

ABEI is excited about what lies ahead. The coalition is hosting meetings for aspiring midwives to assess needs and determine scholarship eligibility—including support for coursework, childcare, and transportation—while planning advocacy efforts to address barriers to care like insurance coverage. Learn more about the initiative and stay up to date on ongoing efforts by visiting their website.