Advocates Lead Push for Black Maternal Health Reform

Black Maternal Health Week, observed annually in April, shines a spotlight on the significant and largely preventable disparities in U.S. maternal mortality, with Black women three to four times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-related complications, according to the CDC. Advocacy groups like Mothering Justice in Detroit and the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition in Broward County are leading efforts by organizing events, supporting local mothers, and championing reforms such as Michigan's 'MI Momnibus' bills and the federal Births in Custody Reporting Act. Activists and lawmakers are prioritizing expanded access to maternal mental health care, a larger perinatal workforce, and attention to social determinants of health. Personal accounts from organizers highlight the urgency of reform. Recent actions include public rallies, legislative resolutions, and recognition events to galvanize support and honor parents. These efforts represent a growing national movement for equity and justice in Black maternal health.