Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality

"Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from April 11-17 to bring attention and action in improving Black maternal health. Take these steps to reduce risks of pregnancy-related complications and deaths.

Most Pregnancy-Related Deaths are Preventable

Each year in the United States, about 700 people die during pregnancy or in the year after. Another 50,000 women each year experience severe pregnancy complications that can cause serious consequences for a woman’s health. Every pregnancy-related death is tragic, especially because two in three of them are preventable. Recognizing the warning signs and providing timely treatment and quality care can prevent many pregnancy-related deaths.

Racial Disparities Exist

Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in quality healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. Social determinants of health have historically prevented many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health.

Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality

During Black Maternal Health Week, learn how you can support pregnant people in your life to reduce factors that contribute to pregnancy-related complications and death.

Pregnant people and their families can:

• Talk to a healthcare provider if anything doesn’t feel right or is concerning.
• Know and seek immediate care if experiencing an urgent maternal warning signs, including severe headache, extreme swelling of hands or face, trouble breathing, heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge, overwhelming tiredness, and more. These symptoms could indicate a potentially life-threatening complication.
• Document and share pregnancy history during each medical care visit for up to one year after delivery.
• Maintain ongoing healthcare and social support systems before, during, and after pregnancy.

Healthcare providers can:

• Help patients manage chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity.
• Listen to pregnant and postpartum people’s concerns, and communicate with patients about urgent maternal warning signs.
• Use tools to flag warning signs early so women can receive timely treatment.external icon
• Coordinate ongoing healthcare for women before, during, and after pregnancy..."
  Black maternal mortality