Black Maternal Health Week: Addressing Disparities In Care
Every year, Black Maternal Health Week takes place in April, which is National Minority Health Month. Observed from April 11–17, this week serves as a time to raise awareness of inequality and fight to prevent racial disparities in maternal mortality. Here, we’ll discuss Black Maternal Health Week and explore ways to support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) parents, reduce maternal mortality, and improve child health outcomes.
Black Maternal Health Week this April
Black Maternal Health Week is a time to call attention to the inequity in maternal health, including disparities in maternal death rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a maternal death as the death of a birthing parent “while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy [...] from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management.” Campaigns related to Black Maternal Health Week aim to reduce pregnancy-related deaths among Black birthing parents in particular and advocate for more education on this topic among healthcare providers and the public.
Statistics about Black maternal health
- Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from a pregnancy-related cause.
- In 2021, 1,205 women died of maternal causes in the US, compared to 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019.
- In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is 2.6 times the rate for non-Hispanic white women. The CDC emphasizes that rates for Black women were significantly higher than rates for white and Hispanic women.
What can you do to observe Black Maternal Health Week?
There are a number of ways to help raise awareness during Black Maternal Health Week. One way is to spread the word about this campaign on social media. You might post the hashtags #BMHW25 and #BlackMaternalHealthWeek to maximize reach. You can also post statistics about health disparities to provide evidence of inequity in maternal care. Another way to make a difference is to volunteer for and/or donate to a local organization that serves BIPOC women during and after pregnancy or does advocacy work for healthcare equality.
What can you do to help reduce negative health outcomes among Black birthing parents?
There are many ways that people and institutions can contribute to reducing negative outcomes in Black maternal health. At the community level, people can address disparities such as poverty and a lack of transportation, which can affect people’s ability to attend visits to their obstetrician. Individuals can advocate for more public transportation to healthcare facilities in their area. Also, many people experience food insecurity, which can affect their ability to receive adequate nutrition for themselves and their baby. Communities can advocate for more food assistance for families, both during and after pregnancy.
Supporting the Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Another way to advocate for Black maternal health is to support the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, which is the organization that founded Black Maternal Health Week. The alliance works toward the following four goals, according to their website:
- “Change policy: Introduce and advance policy grounded in the human rights framework that addresses Black maternal health inequity and improves Black maternal health outcomes
- Cultivate research: Leverage the talent and knowledge that exists in Black communities and cultivate innovative research methods to inform the policy agenda to improve Black maternal health
- Advance care for Black mamas: Explore, introduce, and enhance holistic and comprehensive approaches to Black mamas’ care
- Shift culture: Redirect and reframe the conversation on Black maternal health and amplify the voices of Black mamas”
Supporting the National Black Doulas Association
Another way to support Black maternal health is to donate to the National Black Doulas Association. Doulas are trained professionals who assist during the pregnancy and birthing processes. Doulas may help more people understand and prevent maternal mortality and health challenges often faced during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Black doulas in particular can also provide specific support for the lived experiences and additional risks faced by many Black mothers and birthing parents.
Mental health support for the health of birthing parents
Pregnant people and parents who are experiencing mental health challenges may benefit from talk therapy. For example, a therapist may be able to help address post-traumatic stress disorder related to birth trauma, symptoms of postnatal depression, or the stress of lived experiences of healthcare discrimination.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
While therapy can often be helpful, many communities don't have enough mental healthcare providers in the area to meet demand. In some cases, it may be more feasible to speak with an online therapist. Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp provide a larger selection of licensed therapists than what may be available in a person’s immediate area, which can make it easier for individuals to find therapists who suit their unique needs and understand their experiences. Online therapy clients can choose the remote communication method that’s most comfortable for them, whether that’s audio, video, live chat, or a combination of these methods.
Does online therapy help?
In recent years, many studies have suggested the efficacy of online therapy. In one study, for example, researchers indicate that online therapy can be effective for treating depression and anxiety, which are common mental health conditions.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Below are some common questions related to Black Maternal Health Week.
Where can people get help with maternal health?
Individuals in need of assistance can contact the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline by calling 1.833.TLC.MAMA. This hotline is run by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). For a mental health crisis, individuals can also call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
What is the most common maternal disorder?
According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, the answer is anxiety and depression. These two are among the most common maternal mental health conditions during pregnancy and childbirth.
What are birth justice movements?
In general, birth justice movements are campaigns that aim to promote healthcare equity for marginalized populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, BIPOC, and queer individuals. Several organizations are involved in birth justice movements, such as the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Voices for Birth Justice, Ms. Foundation for Women, and Deliver Birth Justice.
What is the theme for Black Maternal Health Week in April 2025?
There’s a different theme for Black Maternal Health Week each year. The theme for 2025 is Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health through Collective Action and Advocacy.
What is the purpose of Black Maternal Health Week?
Black Maternal Health Week spotlights the importance of the mental health of Black mothers, who statistically have the worst maternal birth outcomes. The week educates communities, health care providers, birthing people, and others about the importance of family support programs, abortion care access coupled with reproductive education, supportive social welfare, and community-building organizations for those in the Black American and Black immigrant/refugee communities who are impacted by maternal healthcare and legislation, such as restrictive abortion bans and adverse maternal healthcare policies.
Is there a Black Maternal Health Month?
There is a Black Maternal Mental Health Week, but no Black Maternal Health Month. You can celebrate this week from July 19th to the 25th. During this event, you can attend the Black Maternal Mental Health Summit, where healthcare providers and mental health experts discuss the well-being of Black mothers and the multiple factors involved in providing equitable care and evidence-based solutions to all, especially in the face of reproductive legislation that threatens the rights of women, as most restrictive abortion bans do. During this week, these providers remain committed to educating communities across the US about these laws, maternal mental health rights, and pregnancy complications, as well as how to find healthcare and mental health support.
What does Black maternal health mean?
Black maternal health is a term referring to the unique needs of Black mothers and pregnant people. Black mothers are more likely to face healthcare discrimination, pregnancy complications, and a lack of support in pregnancy and birth. They are also significantly more likely to lose their lives during birth. Black Maternal Health Week focuses on these mothers' mental and physical health, as well as improving access to care and quality support services from healthcare providers.
What is maternal health, and why is it important?
Maternal health is mothers' mental and physical health, whether peri- or postpartum. Many mothers face healthcare challenges and trauma in the birth and parenting processes. Certain people may be more affected than others, such as those in low-income households, single parents, Black women, other people of color, immigrants, and those who live in a state or country where abortion is outlawed, criminalized, or difficult to access. Equitable, fair, intersectional, and inclusive healthcare support should be offered to all mothers to ensure their needs are met and to reduce the mortality rates of groups like Black mothers, who are more likely to die during birth, even under the care of a healthcare provider.
Why is Black health and wellness important?
Black health and wellness is important because Black people are at a higher risk of death, illness, and mental health conditions than other groups. In addition, many Black Americans do not have adequate health insurance or the ability to access quality healthcare. An inability to access quality care can lead to reduced health outcomes.
What is the goal of improving maternal health?
Often, the goal of improving maternal health in mothers and pregnant people is to protect their lives and the lives of their babies. It is about meeting mothers where they are in their journey and supporting equal and equitable access to healthcare for all people, regardless of where they live, the identities they hold, or their income status. By improving maternal healthcare, more women and parents can live long, healthy lives and be respected in their bodies.
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