Resolution Comes after Brown Introduced Legislation to Reduce America’s Rising Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates, Especially for Moms and Babies of Color
WASHINGTON, DC – In recognition of International Maternal Health and Rights Day and National Minority Health Month, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined his colleagues in introducing a resolution to designate April 11-17, 2019 as Black Maternal Health Week. Black Maternal Health Week aims to raise awareness about the Black maternal health crisis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black mothers in the United States are three to four times more likely than white mothers to die from pregnancy-related complications and are two times more likely than white mothers to suffer from pregnancy-related illnesses, known as maternal morbidities.
“I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in designating this week, Black Maternal Health Week,” said Brown. “We already know that Ohio suffers from alarmingly high maternal mortality rates, especially among Black mothers. This resolution serves as a call for our continued commitment to reduce rising maternal and infant mortality rates once and for all.”
The resolution is led by Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC-12) introduced the resolution in the House.
Both chambers worked closely with Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a Black women-led, cross-sectoral alliance, to recognize the annual week of awareness. This resolution is also endorsed by the Center for American Progress, Center for Reproductive Rights, Commonsense Childbirth, Every Mother Counts, In Our Own Voice, National Association to Advance Black Birth, National Birth Equity Collaborative, National Black Midwives Alliance, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, SisterSong, and WomenHeart.
In March, Brown introduced legislation to help reduce America’s rising maternal and infant mortality rates, especially for moms and babies of color who are significantly more likely to die during or shortly after pregnancy. Brown’s bill, Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act, would implement a five-pronged approach to address and reduce maternal deaths by:
- Establishing national obstetric emergency protocols through a federal expert committee,
- Ensuring dissemination of best shared practices and coordination amongst maternal mortality review committees,
- Standardizing data collection and reporting,
- Improving access to culturally competent care throughout the care continuum, and
- Expanding Medicaid coverage to new mom’s entire post-partum period (1 year).
Brown’s resolution can be viewed here.