The program is open to anyone in the state and covers all types and brands of birth control.

Indiana's maternal mortality rate ranks near the bottom when compared to other states, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 60 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit marginalized families hard, Healthy Start and similar organizations that provide maternal and infant care are seeing a spike in calls.

Despite recent improvements, minority communities across the state still remain most vulnerable.

St. Joe County say focusing on a mother's access to health care has been key to those results.

The state's infant mortality rates are the lowest theyve been since Indiana started recording the data, according to new numbers released by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). This is the third year numbers have trended downward.

Systemic racism has a huge impact on the health of African-Americans in the U.S. It's literally a problem from cradle to grave, affecting everything from infant mortality to life expectancy. And now, COVID-19 is taking a disproportionate toll on the community.

First-time parents have a lot to celebrate. But right now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's also a lot to fear.

Newly released Indiana Department of Health data from 2018 show the infant mortality rate decreased from 7.3 to 6.8 for every 1,000 births.

The program connects women early in their pregnancy with an OB navigator someone who provides guidance through at least the first six months after birth.