U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday to advocate for increased funding for the Atlanta-based facility. President Joe Biden’s budget proposal includes a significant funding increase for the CDC, with a focus on programs for violence prevention and immunization.
During his visit, Warnock toured the emergency operations center and the insectary, where research on mosquitos is conducted. However, the senator’s main focus was discussing the CDC’s efforts in maternal health. The agency’s budget request includes $118 million for programs addressing maternal and infant health, reflecting a $10 million increase.
Warnock expressed concern about the high maternal mortality rates in the United States, particularly among Black women. Last year, a report showed a 20% increase in maternal deaths in Georgia, many of which were deemed preventable. Despite improvements in the national maternal mortality rate, racial disparities persist, with Black women dying at higher rates than white women.
Dr. Debra Houry, the CDC’s chief medical officer, highlighted the agency’s work with hospitals to improve perinatal care through quality collaboratives. She emphasized the importance of expanding maternal and infant health programs to reach more people, particularly in the South where maternal mortality rates are especially high.
Warnock stressed the urgent need to address maternal health disparities in the U.S., stating that the country’s rates are much higher compared to other wealthy nations. He emphasized that the alarming rates among Black women, even with income and insurance, are intolerable. The senator’s visit underscored the importance of prioritizing maternal health and increasing funding for programs that aim to reduce maternal mortality rates nationwide.