The Link & Option Center and Concerned Political and Community Leaders Hosted a Press Conference Recently To Issue a Red Alert on the Maternal Health Crisis in South Suburban Cook County

Dr. Twin Green Photo provided by jerrythomaspr
Dr. Twin Green Photo provided by jerrythomaspr

The Link & Option Center and Concerned Political and Community Leaders Hosted a Press Conference Recently  To Issue a Red Alert on the Maternal Health Crisis in South Suburban Cook County

 

For Expectant Black Mothers, Death Surrounding Childbirth Remains Too High and Healthcare is Sought Too Late


SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – Today, The Link & Option Center, Inc. (TLOC), founded 30 years ago by Dr. Twin Green, held a press conference at the South Holland Community Center, 501 E. 170th St., South Holland, IL, to issue a red alert about the maternal health crisis in South Suburban Cook County.


Dr. Green, who leads the only certified community behavioral health clinic south of Chicago, was joined by numerous elected officials, community leaders, stakeholders, and clients. They include:


Dr. Green, founder and President of The Link & Option Center, Inc.

Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill (5th District)

State Representative Debbie Meyers- Martin (38th District)

State Representative La Shawn K. Ford (8th District)

State Representative Will Davis (30th District)

State Senator Michael Hastings (19th District)

Elected Officials and Community Leaders from Various Municipalities

Maternal, Mental, and Health providers in the region

Expectant Mothers


During the press conference, a call for establishing a mobile prenatal health clinic, the first in the area, to reach elevated-risk expecting mothers at an early stage. The unit will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and staffed by experienced healthcare professionals. Legislators will call for funding for this unit in the upcoming budget, as it is critical to saving lives in areas known as maternal care deserts. The mobile health clinic is expected to increase prenatal care utilization, decrease adverse maternal health outcomes, reduce access barriers to behavioral health resources, and improve healthcare access for individuals with chronic illnesses.


Dr. Green, who founded the organization in 1995 to address her son’s emotional distress, has seen TLOC evolve into a comprehensive facility addressing numerous health issues in the region.


"There has been no progress in reducing the maternal health crisis on Chicago’s South Side and suburbs south of the city,” Dr. Green said. “We can no longer depend on hospitals to provide urgent care. Lives are being lost, and the community suffers when mothers are not healthy. The mother's overall health during and after pregnancy is paramount to the overall health of our communities. We need a united front from service providers, municipalities, and government agencies to help establish the mobile health clinic."


Cook County, according to published reports, has one of the most significant disparities in Black maternal mortality in the nation. Black women are almost six times more likely to die during or within one year of pregnancy than White women. The latest study from the National Center for Health Statistics, which was conducted between 2013 and 2017, notes that 22 percent of births among females aged 15 to 19 were premature. Dr. Green said that in too many communities south of Chicago, which have large populations of African Americans, the numbers are far above the national average and in some cases doubled.


Many Black families migrated from the nation’s third-largest city seeking better opportunities and living environments in the suburbs for their families. However, access to prenatal healthcare has not improved; in fact, it has worsened with the closure of hospitals and health facilities that provide such care. The underlying issues preventing young mothers from seeking prenatal healthcare have also intensified because of the intersection of maternal health and mental health, chronic health issues, such as diabetes, and the unpredictable economy, which causes some expecting mothers to prioritize survival over necessary healthcare.


"I commend Dr. Green for sounding the alarm on this critical issue,” said Commissioner McCaskill. “We must address this crisis immediately. Establishing a mobile prenatal health clinic is necessary to ensure that all expecting mothers receive the care they need, regardless of their circumstances. Strong mental health and access to free and affordable mental health resources empower mothers, ensuring safe journeys through at-risk pregnancies, because every life begins with a healthy mind."


State Representative La Shawn K. Ford (8th District) said the legislature can and must support this prenatal mobile unit.


“Black women face a significantly higher risk of maternal mortality, being three times more likely to experience complications compared to their White counterparts,” he said. “Organizations that are socially and ethically responsible, such as The Link & Option Center, can play a crucial role in ensuring safe pregnancies and healthy births by providing competent support for women of color. With the right interventions and support systems in place, 91% of maternal deaths can be prevented. By directing our efforts toward organizations prioritizing social and ethical competence, we can make meaningful progress in maternal health and improve outcomes for women of color.”


Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (District 6), a strong advocate for maternal and mental health funding, said the crisis of high infant and maternal rates among non-Hispanic Black women in Illinois reflects systemic failures that plague communities with large Black populations. The severe maternal morbidity rate, she said, is staggering, at 132.4 per 100,000 live births, more than double that of non-Hispanic White women.


“We must act now to prevent these preventable deaths and ensure that every mother and child in our community has the opportunity to thrive,” she said. “Collaborative initiatives are vital to fill these gaps and ensure maternal and child health remains a top priority.”


Courtney McGhee, a high-risk pregnancy mom from Chicago’s South Side, said, "The Link & Option Center has been a lifeline for me and my family. The mobile unit can reach so many more expecting mothers who must prioritize day-to-day survival over their health. This initiative is crucial for our community."


The Chicago area is one of the nation's largest metropolitan areas with no mobile units for prenatal care. Other regions, such as Columbus, Ohio, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and New York, have moved in this direction recently. Dr. Green and her supporters seek about $700,000 to purchase and implement the mobile health clinic.


“The mobile health clinic represents an essential investment in the health and well-being of South Suburban Cook County residents,” Dr. Green said. “By addressing critical gaps in maternal health, mental health, and chronic disease management, this initiative will provide life-saving services to vulnerable populations. South Suburban Cook County would no longer be called a maternal care desert.” ###


About The Link & Option Center, Inc.

The Link & Option Center, Inc., South Holland, IL-based, is dedicated to empowering individuals through high-quality prevention and intervention services integrated within a network of accessible resources. By fostering mindful empowerment and expanding opportunities, the organization provides individuals with the tools to define their path toward achieving wellness and realizing their fullest potential. Committed to equity and accessibility, the Link & Option Center, Inc. continues to enhance service options through a comprehensive, timely, and integrated care system that supports communities in need.




Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.