What is Black Maternal Health Week? Plus, how to raise awareness
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Why are Black women still at the highest risk of maternal death? Explore the racial health gap and how to push for change in honor of Black Maternal Health week.
Becoming a mother is a deeply personal and often challenging experience — but for Black women in the United States, it’s made even more difficult by the realities of a healthcare system that too often fails to provide equitable, safe, and respectful care.
Even with all the progress in modern medicine, Black women are still three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. This isn’t because of biology — it’s largely due to systemic racism, implicit bias, and deeply rooted inequities in our healthcare system.
That’s what makes Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17) so important. By advocating for solutions and taking meaningful action to push for lasting change, you can do your part to help ensure that every mother can count on safe, respectful, and equitable care.
What is Black Maternal Health week?
Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) is a nationwide call to action. Created by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, BMHW is about more than raising awareness — it’s about confronting the harsh realities Black mothers face and pushing for systemic change.
Black women are still three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. In addition, many face life-threatening complications, chronic health issues, and trauma that lasts long after the baby is born. BMHW is about naming these issues, elevating the voices of Black women, and empowering the advocates, doulas, and birth workers fighting for better care.
What is the maternal health gap?
The maternal health gap is the unequal, often dangerous difference in how women experience pregnancy and childbirth. In 2023, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 50.3 deaths per 100,000 births — far above the rates for any other group.
But this isn’t just about numbers. Far too often, Black women seeking medical help are neglected or outright dismissed. Healthcare workers may ignore complications, brush aside a Black woman's pain, and even leave life-threatening conditions untreated.
And it doesn’t end with birth — postpartum care for Black women is often more rushed, inadequate, or absent, compared with other ethnicities, but especially so when it comes to mental health.
This disparity is neither accidental nor inevitable. It stems primarily from systemic racism, unequal access to quality healthcare, and persistent bias within the medical system. But because these conditions are created by people and institutions, they can also be changed — if we commit to doing so.
Why is there racism in maternal health care?
Racism remains deeply rooted in maternal healthcare in the United States. How did we get here? The answer is complex and rooted in both historical injustice and ongoing structural bias.
Implicit bias: Unconscious stereotypes continue to shape how Black women are treated in medical settings. When a doctor or nurse is biased, they may overlook symptoms, delay care, or dismiss serious concerns.
Systemic inequities: A higher proportion of Black women face systemic barriers to accessing consistent, high-quality care, including lack of insurance and financial strain.
Historical mistrust: Black women’s mistrust of the healthcare system stems from a long and painful legacy of harm. From the exploitation of Black women during slavery to unethical experiments like the Tuskegee Study, history has left a lasting impact. That unease can understandably contribute to delayed care and, in turn, worse outcomes.
Lack of diversity: Black women are less likely to be cared for by providers who share or understand their experiences. This can make it harder for Black women to feel seen and heard.
These issues are not just the result of individual bias, they reflect a system that needs reform. Every Black mother deserves safe, equitable, and dignified care — and achieving that requires systemic change.
How to raise awareness and endorse change for black mothers
The Black maternal health crisis has persisted for generations, and confronting it requires sustained action.
Whether through policy advocacy, amplifying Black voices, or supporting organizations doing critical work, there are many ways to contribute. Here’s where to begin.
1. Start with education — then talk about it
Awareness is more powerful when it’s shared. Talk with your friends, family, and community about the Black maternal health crisis. Share articles, facts, and personal stories that highlight the real experiences Black women face in the healthcare system.
And when you do share, center the voices of Black women. Learning from Black mothers is one of the most powerful ways to deepen your understanding and challenge your own biases.
💙 If you know someone who suffered from a traumatic birth experience, Kate Johnson’s Safety After Difficult Birth meditation might provide some comfort.
2. Support Black-led organizations
There are incredible groups doing the work — fighting for policy changes, providing resources to Black mothers, and advocating for safe, respectful, and equitable care. A few of these organizations include:
Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA): They’re leading the charge during Black Maternal Health Week and advocating year-round for Black maternal health rights.
The National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC): This group works to improve birth outcomes for Black women through research, advocacy, and training.
Sista Midwife Productions: This organization is dedicated to connecting Black women with Black birth workers and educating people about maternal health.
To support these groups and others like them, you can donate money, volunteer your time, attend events, or simply share their work on social platforms.
3. Advocate for policy change
Advocacy is easier than it seems. One of the biggest pushes right now is around the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, a legislative package designed to address every angle of the Black maternal health crisis — from expanding postpartum coverage to funding community-based programs.
Here’s how you can help:
Call your representatives. Tell them why you support the Momnibus Act.
Sign petitions. These may seem small, but they show lawmakers that people care and are paying attention.
Vote for candidates who prioritize maternal health. And remember, every level of government matters.
4. Center community-based solutions
Community care is powerful. Supporting local doulas, midwives, and Black birth workers is one way to ensure that Black mothers have access to advocates who understand their needs. If you know someone who’s expecting, encourage them to connect with birth workers who can help them navigate the system with confidence and support.
You can also support initiatives that offer accessible prenatal care, postpartum support, and mental health resources in Black communities. After all, healthcare isn’t just about what happens in hospitals — it’s about building networks of care that extend beyond the delivery room.
💙 Kate Johnson discusses advocacy for excellent prenatal care in her Empowerment for Good Care meditation.
5. Speak up when you see bias
If you’re in healthcare, use your voice. Advocate for anti-bias training in your workplace and speak up if you see someone being treated unfairly. Support policies that make healthcare settings more equitable.
Of course, bias doesn’t just live in hospitals — it shows up in conversations, social settings, and policies that affect access to care. Call it out when you hear it.
6. Celebrate Black motherhood
Raising awareness isn’t only about highlighting the struggles. It’s about celebrating the beauty, strength, and resilience of Black motherhood. Share uplifting stories, highlight the wins, and support spaces where Black mothers feel safe, seen, and celebrated.
Black maternal health FAQs
How does racism affect maternal health?
Racism impacts Black maternal health in devastating ways. It shows up when healthcare providers dismiss or downplay Black women’s pain. It limits access to quality prenatal care through systemic barriers like geography, insurance coverage, or income. It can also create chronic stress—known as “weathering”—which wears down the body over time and increases the risk of pregnancy complications.
Still, racism isn’t just about individual bias. It’s also led to structures and systems that have made it harder for Black women to access the care they deserve over generations. This is why Black women are more likely to face serious health risks like preeclampsia, hemorrhage, or postpartum complications, and why many feel they have to fight to be heard and receive proper care.
What is the Momnibus Act?
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act brings together a comprehensive set of bills that tackle the severe disparities in maternal health outcomes, especially those affecting Black women. It’s called “Momnibus” because it’s a combination of several smaller bills, each tackling a different part of the crisis.
If passed, the act would direct funding to community-based organizations, extend postpartum Medicaid coverage, help fund research to better understand maternal health disparities, and promote diversity within the healthcare workforce. It also aims to strengthen mental health resources, address how climate change affects maternal health, and provide targeted support for veteran mothers.
Essentially, the Momnibus Act is about creating a healthcare system where Black mothers receive dignity, respect, and the resources they need to thrive.
How do doulas and midwives improve Black maternal health?
Doulas and midwives can be game-changers for Black maternal health. They provide personalized care that focuses on the physical and emotional aspects of birth. For many Black women, doulas and midwives are trusted advocates in a system where they often feel unheard.
Studies show that having a doula present can lead to fewer birth complications, lower rates of C-sections, and improved birth outcomes overall. Midwives, especially those who come from the communities they serve, bring a level of cultural understanding and personalized care that many hospital settings lack. They take the time to listen, build trust, and support mothers through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum. For Black women, this kind of care isn’t just comforting — it can be life-saving.
What can I do to support Black maternal health?
Supporting Black maternal health starts with awareness, but it doesn’t end there. First, educate yourself about the disparities and share that knowledge within your circles. Conversations lead to change.
Next, support Black-led organizations advocating for maternal health equity by donating, volunteering, or sharing their work on social media. Advocate for policy changes like the Momnibus Act by calling your representatives and urging them to prioritize maternal health. You can also support Black birth workers—like doulas and midwives—who provide culturally competent care in their communities.
And don’t underestimate the power of listening. When Black women share their experiences, listen closely and amplify their voices. Every action, no matter how small it feels, contributes to a larger movement for justice and change.
Why is there a Black Maternal Health Week?
Black Maternal Health Week exists because the crisis facing Black mothers is real and urgent.
BMHW is about creating space to honor Black motherhood, highlight systemic failures, and advocate for change. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate the resilience and strength of Black mothers, while holding institutions accountable for the disparities they perpetuate. The ultimate goal is a future where Black women don’t just survive childbirth—they thrive in it.
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