Bringing new life into the world should be a joyful and empowering experience.  Unfortunately, this is not always the reality for women in our country.  The maternal mortality rate in the United States is more than twice that of other developed nations, despite spending nearly double per capita on health care.  Even more alarming, Black and Indigenous women are at least three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 60% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable.  Research into the leading causes of maternal mortality and complications is driving evidence-based strategies to improve care quality—underscoring the fact that we have the power to change outcomes and strengthen the well-being of vulnerable families in our communities.

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The Joseph & Vera Long Foundation seeks to support organizations that work to eliminate health disparities by expanding education and access to essential maternal health services.  Through funding for effective programs and timely contributions to larger capital projects, we aim to advance birth equity and improve reproductive health care in Northern California and Hawaii.

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