Noire
Health Hub
Maternal Health in
Bexar County and Texas
Prenatal care and birth outcomes are foundational indicators of maternal and infant health. Gaps in early care access and elevated rates of preterm birth and low birth weight (especially in historically underserved populations) are associated with:
• Higher risk of infant morbidity
• Greater maternal stress and complication rates
• Long-term health inequities​
Facts at a glance:
Prenatal Care Disparities
Only 73% of Black pregnant women in Bexar County received early prenatal care compared with 84% of White women.
Birth Outcome Disparities (Bexar County)
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Preterm births among Black women: 15% vs 11% for White women.
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Low birth weight infants among Black women: 14% vs 8% for White women.
Statewide Context — Texas
Severe maternal morbidity (serious health complications during delivery) is significantly higher among Black women in Texas compared to White women (statewide).
What Can We Do?
Addressing these disparities requires navigation support, culturally competent outreach, and system-level coordination.