Black Maternal Health Week: A Call to Action for Reproductive Justice
Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), observed annually from April 11th to 17th, is a powerful movement spearheaded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. This year’s theme, "Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!", resonates with a sense of urgency and empowerment. It’s a week dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of Black mothers, advocating for policy change, and highlighting the importance of culturally-congruent care. The Urgency of the Matter The United States faces a maternal health crisis, with Black women disproportionately affected. They are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. This disparity is rooted in systemic racism and bias within healthcare systems, environmental injustices, and lack of access to necessary resources. Policy and Change The Biden Administration has acknowledged this crisis…