Black Maternal Health Week
April 11-17
Black Maternal Health Week takes place every year from April 11–17. The month of April is recognized in the United States as National Minority Health Month which is a month-long initiative to advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities.
Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women.
Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality • cdc.gov
History of Black Maternal Health Week
Timeline
2018
The Black Mamas Matter Alliance founded and led the first-ever campaign
The national Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) campaign is a week of awareness, activism, and community building.
2021
Heather Wilson invited to the White House
Kennedy’s Angel Gowns’ Founder was present on April 13 where Vice President Harris hosted a White House roundtable. Black maternal health was the main topic; Heather Wilson shared her story, stillbirth of Kennedy, and work as a doula.
2021
The President issued the first-ever presidential proclamation of this kind
The President of the United States of America proclaims April 11 through April 17, 2021, as Black Maternal Health Week. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. calls upon all Americans to raise awareness of the state of Black maternal health in the United States by understanding the consequences of systemic discrimination, recognizing the scope of this problem and the need for urgent solutions, amplifying the voices and experiences of Black women, families, and communities, and committing to building a world in which Black women do not have to fear for their safety, their wellbeing, their dignity, and their lives before, during, and after pregnancy.
2021
Biden-Harris administration announces initial actions to address the Black maternal health crisis
April 13, the Administration has taken the following actions to strengthen health equity and address racial disparities in maternal health through:
- Increased investment in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.
- Approval of the First Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver to Broadly Extend Postpartum Coverage.
- $12 Million in Additional Funds for Maternal Obstetric Care in Rural Communities.
#blackmaternalhealthweek #BMHW
How to Support
The campaign and activities for Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) serve to amplify the voices of Black mothers and center the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements. Activities during BMHW are rooted in human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice frameworks.
- Share your voice with our custom BMHW apparel
- Follow Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) and educate yourself
- Download BMMA’s toolkit to share on social media
Location
The Black maternal health crisis is happening right here in the United States.
Support
We aim to help advocate and make a difference for Black mothers any way we can.
Change Policy
Let’s address Black maternal health inequity and improve Black maternal health outcomes.
Culture
Open conversation on Black maternal health and amplify the voices of Black mothers.
Black Maternal Health Week
Why is it Important?
The Centers for Disease Control approximates 700 women die each year in the United States due to pregnancy or delivery complications. Even more frightful are the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in pregnancy-related deaths. Black women are most disproportionately affected, with a mortality rate of 37.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 14.7 deaths per 100,000 live births and 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for White and Hispanic women, respectively.
Black Maternal Health Week
White House Roundtable
April 13, 2021, changed the outlook for Black maternal health with the roundtable lead by Ambassador Rice and Vice President Kamala Harris. Four Black women shared their experiences that were all coupled with loss. Less than an hour afterward, the President issued the first-ever presidential proclamation calling on all Americans to recognize the importance of addressing the crisis of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in this country.
