Black Maternal Health Week, observed from April 11th to April 17th, aims to raise awareness about the maternal health crisis affecting Black women in the U.S. This week focuses on addressing the disparities in maternal health outcomes, advocating for policy changes, and highlighting the importance of culturally competent care. It also emphasizes the need for increased support for Black mothers and families, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting health equity. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, Black Maternal Health Week strives to create lasting change and improve maternal health outcomes for Black women.
This year’s theme for Black Maternal Health Week, “Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy,” emphasizes the power of honoring ancestral wisdom while mobilizing communities to create meaningful change. It highlights the importance of collective efforts—rooted in advocacy, cultural healing, and systemic reform—to address the ongoing maternal health crisis. By uplifting community voices and strengthening support networks, this theme calls for unity and resilience in the fight for equity and justice in Black maternal health.
“For Black women, the statistics can be scary, especially when considering that “more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable and Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women,”https://www.essence.com/news/black-maternal-health-week-obgyns-pregnancy
