Death rate of Hispanic babies more than doubles in Dane County
DAVID WAHLBERG
Updated
Jennifer Valencia, second from right, who is pregnant, gets support from fellow Latina doulas Mariela Quesada Centeno, from left, Maricela Martínez and Rosalba Montoya Velasco at Centro Hispano in Madison. Valencia's third pregnancy has been a struggle, she said. Infant mortality is on the rise among Hispanics in Dane County, with the rate now exceeding that for Blacks.
Infant mortality in Dane County, which has been about three times higher in Black babies than white babies for many years, more than doubled among Hispanics in recent years, with the latest figures showing Hispanics having the highest level of any group.
Even doulas, or birth coaches who help women and families before, during and after birth, need support from others, said Jennifer Valencia, center. She is comforted by doulas Maricela Martínez and Rosalba Montoya Velasco. Valencia, pregnant with her third child, said it's hard being far away from her parents and other family.
Jennifer Valencia, who has daughters ages 3 and 4 and is pregnant, is one of six doulas with Roots4Change in Madison. Paired with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the group is part of a national project examining inequities in perinatal care.
A mural signifying the goals of Roots4Change, by artist Julio Cachiguango, adorns a wall at the group's office at Centro Hispano in Madison. "Podemos" means "we can." "Renacer" is "to be reborn." "Orgullo" is pride."
Jennifer Valencia, second from right, who is pregnant, gets support from fellow Latina doulas Mariela Quesada Centeno, from left, Maricela Martínez and Rosalba Montoya Velasco at Centro Hispano in Madison. Valencia's third pregnancy has been a struggle, she said. Infant mortality is on the rise among Hispanics in Dane County, with the rate now exceeding that for Blacks.
Even doulas, or birth coaches who help women and families before, during and after birth, need support from others, said Jennifer Valencia, center. She is comforted by doulas Maricela Martínez and Rosalba Montoya Velasco. Valencia, pregnant with her third child, said it's hard being far away from her parents and other family.
Jennifer Valencia, who has daughters ages 3 and 4 and is pregnant, is one of six doulas with Roots4Change in Madison. Paired with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the group is part of a national project examining inequities in perinatal care.
A mural signifying the goals of Roots4Change, by artist Julio Cachiguango, adorns a wall at the group's office at Centro Hispano in Madison. "Podemos" means "we can." "Renacer" is "to be reborn." "Orgullo" is pride."
