Designates April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to raise awareness of and address the maternal health crisis affecting Black women and birthing people in the U.S.
Cory Booker
Senator
NJ
This resolution supports the designation of April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to raise awareness about the maternal health crisis affecting Black women and birthing people in the U.S. It recognizes the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates among Black women, urges Congress to address systemic inequities, and calls for policies promoting equitable access to maternal healthcare and reproductive justice. The resolution also emphasizes the importance of community-led solutions and increased investment in Black-led organizations to improve maternal health outcomes.
Resolution Backs 8th Annual Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17, 2025) to Tackle Crisis
This resolution throws its support behind designating April 11-17, 2025, as the eighth annual "Black Maternal Health Week." Founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the goal is straightforward: shine a national spotlight on the alarming maternal health crisis hitting Black women and birthing people hardest in the U.S. It’s a call to focus attention and resources on reducing the unacceptable rates of death and serious complications related to pregnancy and childbirth within the Black community.
The Stark Reality: More Than Just Numbers
The resolution doesn't mince words about the disparity. It highlights federal data showing Black women died from pregnancy-related causes at a rate of 50.3 per 100,000 live births in 2023 – a rate significantly higher than White (14.5), Hispanic (12.4), and Asian (10.7) women. Critically, it points out that over 80% of these pregnancy-related deaths nationwide are considered preventable. The resolution connects these tragic outcomes to deep-seated issues like structural racism, gender oppression, and social determinants of health – things like lack of access to safe housing, healthy food, clean environments, and fair wages. It also notes the potential impact of the Roe v. Wade overturn on reproductive healthcare access, further compounding the challenges.
A Blueprint for Change: What the Resolution Urges
Beyond just raising awareness, this resolution urges Congress to take concrete steps. It calls for systemic changes to ensure the Black community has equitable access to essentials often taken for granted: safe housing, reliable transportation, nutritious food, clean air and water, environments free from toxins, decriminalization, safety from violence, living wages, and economic opportunity. Crucially, it advocates for a diverse perinatal workforce and comprehensive healthcare, specifically including reproductive care and continuous health insurance coverage for at least one year after giving birth. The resolution champions policies rooted in human rights and reproductive justice, emphasizing that Black women must be central figures in shaping these solutions. It explicitly calls for passing legislation like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act.
Making the Week Matter: Amplifying Voices and Solutions
So, what's the point of designating a specific week? The resolution sees Black Maternal Health Week as a vital platform. It’s an opportunity to foster national conversations, drive investment toward community-based solutions, and ensure the experiences and voices of Black women, families, and healthcare providers are heard. The week aims to boost community organizing efforts and push for increased funding for the Black-led organizations and perinatal birth workers (like doulas and midwives) who are already on the ground providing essential reproductive, maternal, and sexual healthcare. It's about recognizing the crisis and actively supporting the solutions emerging from within the community most affected.