Blue Shield of California's initiative to improve the lives of African American mothers was featured in multiple publications, including Fierce HealthCare, HealthLeaders and Hey SoCal.

The nonprofit health plan’s Maternal Child Health Equity initiative offers a comprehensive program to help address disproportionate mortality rates among mothers and children, especially in underserved communities. Services are available to expecting and new mothers in Fresno, Los Angeles, and Sacramento counties through physician referrals.
You can also read DD Johnice's interview with State of Reform here. Johnice is vice president of the health transformation lab.
From Fierce Healthcare:
DD Johnice, vice president of the transformation lab at Blue Shield, told Fierce Healthcare that the program is a "perfect marriage of passion and having the right tools." The insurer, she said, has made a commitment to health equity that starts from the top.
"What we really tried to do here was bring in partners that would allow us to wrap those moms in resources," she said.
The community-based approach is critical, she said, as patients are more likely to trust these partner organizations than they may trust an insurer or even a healthcare provider.
Read the full story here.
From HealthLeaders:
"Black women continue to experience adverse birth outcomes and pregnancy-related complications at much higher rates compared to other racial/ethnic groups," D.D. Johnice, vice president of Blue Shield's Health Transformation Lab, said in an email exchange with HealthLeaders.
"Given the disparities in maternal and child health that are disproportionately impacting Black families and communities, something needed to change," Johnice said. "This health crisis is caused by racial health inequities – Black mothers are being ignored and underserved with the medical and social needs for them and their babies. That said, there is an urgent need for the healthcare system to develop thoughtful and impactful solutions to address it.
The initiative will work with community-based organizations such as Black Wellness and Prosperity Center, Diversity Uplift, and Her Health First to train "culturally congruent and trauma-informed" doulas and connect mothers to family-centered services, emergency funds, and maternal supplies.
Read the full story here.
From Hey SoCal:
The nonprofit health plan’s Maternal Child Health Equity initiative offers a comprehensive program to help address disproportionate mortality rates among mothers and children, especially in underserved communities. Services are available to expecting and new mothers in Fresno, Los Angeles, and Sacramento counties through physician referrals.
“At Blue Shield of California, we’re taking a holistic approach to improve the health outcomes for mothers and their babies,” said Susan Fleischman, M.D., chief medical officer at Blue Shield of California. “We believe this kind of effort is required to make health equity a reality for these moms and their newborns. This is part of Blue Shield’s vision for reimagining health as we seek to make the healthcare system that’s worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable for everyone.”
Read the full story here.