Reproductive Health of Women in Tarrant County: A Review of Resources and Services

Purpose: The landscape for female reproductive health in Texas is appalling. Texas has the highest uninsured rate, the highest rate of cervical cancer, and the highest repeat teen birth rate in the United States. Additionally, Texas has the worst maternal mortality rate (MMR) of any state. Texas established the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force in 2013 to investigate a shocking spike in the maternal deaths reported. While the task force concluded the data was erroneous, it is still universally acknowledged that there has been an alarming increase in MMR in the last decade. Furthermore, the MMR within Tarrant County is much higher than the statewide rate, and is comparable to many developing countries. Maternal mortality disproportionately affects African American women with an MMR 1.5-2.5 times greater than those of other racial groups. Methods: This study is a review of resources available locally, and attempts to highlight the services offered by four prominent institutions in Tarrant County: Planned Parenthood, John Peter Smith Hospital, Tarrant County Public Health Department, and Healthy Texas Women. Results: While this issue is multifactorial, Tarrant County has numerous resources set-up to assist all women ranging from healthy teens to pregnant women to new mothers. Conclusion: Although there is a broad range of services offered locally, we believe there is still a great scope for improvements to tackle the rising MMR from a policy perspective, as well as services targeted at assisting African American women who suffer disproportionately.