Shreveport, La. – Local health advocates are pressing Caddo Parish commissioners to act quickly on a maternal health funding request that could improve outcomes for mothers and newborns in the region.
The nonprofit organization Birth Well says Caddo Parish ranks among the highest in Louisiana for infant mortality. In response, Birth Well representative Alicia Mingo has asked the parish’s Economic Development Committee to approve a $65,000 investment to expand maternal health services.
“The $65,000 investment that I am requesting goes toward helping this emergency need because once somebody dies, they can’t come back,” Mingo told reporters. “So it’s very urgent and emergent.” She noted that 93 % of pregnancy‑related deaths in the area are preventable with timely care and support.
Birth Well’s program focuses on connecting expectant and new mothers with trained doulas and other critical community health resources. If the funding is approved, part of the money will be used to train Caddo Parish residents to become certified doulas, creating a local workforce that can provide continuous, culturally aware support during labor and postpartum periods.
The request will be reviewed at an upcoming meeting of the Caddo Parish Economic Development Committee. The committee has not yet taken a final vote, but the proposal is slated for discussion as part of the parish’s broader effort to address public‑health challenges.
Why the request matters
Maternal health crises often stem from gaps in access to prenatal care, education, and postpartum support. By funding doula training, the parish could reduce the number of preventable complications that lead to maternal and infant deaths. Doulas have been shown to improve birth outcomes, lower rates of cesarean delivery, and increase breastfeeding initiation.
Community leaders emphasize that the initiative aligns with the parish’s responsibility to protect families and uphold the constitutional right of parents to access quality health care for their children.
Next steps
The Economic Development Committee’s decision will determine whether the $65,000 allocation moves forward. Advocates plan to continue lobbying parish officials and rallying community support, highlighting the urgent need for resources that can save lives.
For more information about Birth Well’s programs or to support the funding request, residents can contact the organization directly through its website.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
