Arkansas surgeon general emphasizes prevention, flags maternal mortality disparities

Dr. Kaye Chandler, Arkansas’s newly appointed surgeon general, told the joint Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee that preventive health and maternal mortality will be top priorities as she begins the role. Chandler, who said she spent 26 years at Cornerstone Clinic for Women, described the appointment as unexpected and said she is spending her early weeks meeting stakeholders and ‘‘fact-finding’’ about health needs across the state.

Chandler said the state has seen a troubling pattern in maternal outcomes and that Black women are disproportionately affected. ‘‘We see that, I think, it's 19 percent of the births are to African American women, but 38 percent of the deaths,’’ Chandler said, referencing 2018–2019 data in committee discussion. She identified cardiovascular conditions and hypertension as prominent causes in those deaths and said mistrust of the medical community may contribute to delays in care.

Committee members pressed Chandler about concrete steps. Senator Love asked for ‘‘one or two things’’ to lower Black maternal mortality; Chandler said she will work with the maternal mortality committee and health department staff to drill down on causes and messages tailored to communities. Representative Johnson and others urged a public education campaign focused on women’s health and earlier preventive care, a topic Chandler endorsed.

Chandler also welcomed suggestions about other priorities raised by legislators, including public education about uterine fibroids; Representative Ennett asked that the committee schedule a future conversation on that issue. The committee chair said a fuller discussion of the maternal mortality topic is planned for the committee’s July meeting.

The surgeon general’s remarks were framed as early priorities rather than formal policy proposals. Chandler said she will continue meetings with health department staff, the maternal mortality committee and community partners to shape specific initiatives and benchmarks for measuring progress.