The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week awarded over $1 million to Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester to address the maternal mortality crisis. The grant is one of 35 made across the country, totaling over $65 million, to implement innovative approaches to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities for patients at highest risk.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is taking significant steps to address our country’s maternal health crisis,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, who visited the Dorchester health center in person last year. “This support for HRSA-funded health centers will help ensure healthier pregnancy and postpartum outcomes for all and help address health disparities among women of color and women in rural and medically underserved areas.”

Added Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, “The maternal morbidity crisis should be met with urgency and bold and intentional investments that provide everyone the high-quality, comprehensive care they need. It is imperative that our policy response supports those on the frontlines of this fight. The Codman Square Health Center engages in life-saving work to stand in the gap and address the maternal health crisis in the Massachusetts 7th, and this much-needed federal funding will allow them to continue these efforts.

“I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for this critical grant and look forward to continuing to partner with them to confront this crisis head on.”

Federally funded health centers provide essential prenatal care to nearly 550,000 people a year in communities at higher risk of pregnancy-related deaths and health center providers deliver more than 160,000 babies annually.