Perinatal Health Equity Initiative Mourns the Loss of Dreeah Austin, Calls for Urgent Action to Address Maternal Health Disparities
Dreeah's Story
Newark, NJ – The Perinatal Health Equity Initiative is deeply saddened to announce the tragic passing of Dreeah Austin, a 30-year-old mother from Newark, New Jersey, who lost her life just two weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Sevyn.
On July 21, 2024, Dreeah kissed her partner Saladeen and her newborn daughter Sevyn before heading out for a routine errand with her nephew. Shortly after starting the car, Dreeah experienced a seizure and lost consciousness. Despite immediate efforts by her partner and his mother to revive her while waiting for emergency medical support, Dreeah never regained consciousness. She was transported to a local hospital, where, after two days, her family was informed that she had no brain activity and would not regain function. On July 23, 2024, the heartbreaking decision was made to discontinue care, and Dreeah passed away, joining her mother and father, who also passed in the last year.
Dreeah’s death is believed to have been caused by a blood clot that traveled from her leg to her lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which blocked her airway and led to her heart stopping. The Perinatal Health Equity Initiative is working closely with Dreeah’s family to gather the facts and identify any inequities or gaps in care that may have contributed to this tragic outcome.
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According to the CDC, pulmonary embolism is the sixth leading cause of maternal death and the third leading cause of death for Black women. Dreeah had a medical history of blood clots, a condition that requires careful monitoring and follow-up care. However, in the two weeks following her birth, Dreeah did not have any contact with her healthcare provider, a failure that highlights systemic issues in postpartum care.
“In New Jersey, 91% of all maternal deaths are considered preventable, with 53% occurring postpartum. It is devastating that despite the many programs and initiatives funded to improve maternal health, Black mothers like Dreeah continue to die from preventable causes,” said Dr. Nastassia K. Harris, Founder & Executive Director of the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative.
The Perinatal Health Equity Initiative calls for urgent action to address the systemic inequities that disproportionately affect Black mothers. Traditional postpartum care models, which often delay follow-up appointments until 3-6 weeks after delivery, are insufficient for Black mothers who face higher risks and need more immediate and ongoing support.
“The data is clear: Black mothers cannot afford to participate in traditional postpartum care that delays critical follow-up. New systems and structures must be developed to ensure that all mothers receive comprehensive, culturally sensitive care from pregnancy through postpartum,” Dr. Harris continued.
In memory of Dreeah Austin and all the Black mothers who have lost their lives due to systemic failures in healthcare, the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative remains committed to advocating for justice and equitable healthcare for all mothers.
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About Perinatal Health Equity Initiative
PHEI is a grassroots community organization. We are dedicated to actively working towards eliminating health care disparities in black infant and maternal health through advocacy, education, community engagement, research, collaboration, and direct clinical support.