Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. They also face higher risks of health complications: a 23% increased chance of heart attack, a 57% higher likelihood of stroke, a 42% increased risk of lung blood clots, and a 71% greater chance of muscle weakness.

Research indicates that the prenatal period has a profound impact on children’s lifelong health, underscoring the importance of addressing these disparities for the well-being of mothers and future generations. Angela D. Aina of BMMA, Inc., states, “Black mothers deserve more than maternity and healthcare systems provide. We need sustainable solutions, including collaborative care involving physicians, midwives, doulas, and care teams that respect our needs and promote healthy pregnancies and lives.”

The National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers recommends several policies to improve outcomes for Black women:

  • Invest in social factors that influence maternal health outcomes.
  • Expand care through 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage nationwide and diversify the doula workforce.
  • Address systemic barriers and stigma preventing access to prenatal and postpartum care.
  • Enhance economic fairness by enforcing equal-pay laws and increasing the minimum wage to $17 per hour.
  • Pass laws that guarantee paid leave for pregnant people, caregivers, and families.
  • Utilize intersectional data to understand the causes of maternal health disparities better and create targeted solutions.
  • Expand the perinatal workforce to include providers with backgrounds similar to those of Black mothers.

Learn more at https://ncit.org/take-action/. Christy Ross, co-chair of the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers, stresses that “everyday Americans can help by urging elected officials to support policies that safeguard Black maternal health,” working toward a future where all families thrive.