Tulsa's New Prenatal Clinic Aims To Lower Infant Mortality Rate

A new health clinic in north Tulsa is now providing prenatal services. 

The team at Crossover Health Services hope the services offered will help babies be healthier and live longer. 

A new report from the Tulsa Health Department shows higher infant mortality rates in certain zip codes, and north Tulsa has the highest.  

One doctor said getting mothers better access to care during pregnancy is the key to changing that statistic. 

Infant mortality rate is the percentage of babies who pass away before they turn one. Dr. Glenna Wong said the infant mortality rate in north Tulsa is 15.2% compared to 6.8% in south Tulsa. 

"About 40% of expecting mothers in north Tulsa are either late to prenatal care or receive no prenatal care at all," Wong said. 

Wong said there is a lower health literacy in this area and lower resources as well. The Tulsa Health Department says infant mortality is often used as an indicator to measure the health and well-being of a community because things that affect the health of an entire population can also influence the mortality rate of infants. 

"People aren't able to find rides to appointments, get the medications they need, pay for appointments, some patients don't have insurance, so all of these are factors in why there might be a health care disparity between the two different parts of Tulsa," Wong said. 

She said expectant mothers who are late to prenatal care often have complications when they show up to the hospital to give birth. She said these things can be prevented if the proper care is given. 

"There may be things that are missed on prenatal screenings, prenatal testing imaging, all of those things that show up when they are in this situation that can be life or death,” Wong said. 

The goal of this new clinic is to work with the health department to take better care of moms, babies and entire families. 

"I have a strong desire for health equity which means patients regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, race, insurance status should have an equal opportunity to achieve their optimal health," Wong said. 

The clinic is located near E 56th Street N and MLK Jr. Boulevard.