Minority Health Month

As Minority Health Month draws to a close, it’s crucial to reflect on the disparities in our healthcare system. In our area, Mahoning County has a high infant mortality rate, particularly among minority populations. Some key factors that contribute to high infant mortality rates include the lack of access to healthcare, environmental factors, and systemic racism. The Board of Mahoning County Commissioners recognized this disparity among African American expecting mothers and newborn babies. The Board of Mahoning County Commissioners partnered with YWCA Mahoning Valley to provide the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA), which has served over 60 households of pregnant and new moms enrolled in Mahoning County Pathway HUB. One woman, Julie, joined the program because she had a high-risk pregnancy and was not able to work. With the help of the ERA program, she was able to move into a larger home before delivering her child. This assistance helped her mentally and physically, especially as a first-time mom. Rent, usually the highest bill of the month, was now alleviated, and she had more time to bond with her child. Julie’s child recently celebrated their first birthday, and they are both doing well. The goal of this program is to provide stable housing for pregnant and new moms with rental assistance for one year to reduce infant mortality and give babies the opportunity to have their first birthday. Rental assistance gives them a moment to breathe as they look for employment or enroll in school. This is just one of the many success stories of the women who utilize this program to create a better life for themselves and their children. We recognize that we can’t do it alone; every donation and every volunteer helps YWCA Mahoning Valley create a healthier future for individuals and our community.