Written by DeMario P. Smith Published on 15th April 2021
The White House has officially acknowledged Black Maternal Health Week, which occurs between 11th April to 17th April, and raises awareness of Black women’s reproductive health care and maternal care in the United States. In addition, the Biden Administration pledged $6 billion to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and over $250 million towards medical and family planning programs as well as programmes to challenge implicit biases in the medical sector.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that Black women are statistically more likely to encounter pregnancy-related fatalities. Also, the CDC reported that Black pregnant women over the age of 30 are dying at four and five times the rate than white pregnant women are. In a study conducted in September 2020 by the University of Pennsylvania, black pregnant women are found to be more likely to report being negatively affected by the pandemic due to financial concerns and job insecurity than their white peers.
During Black Maternal Health Week, public health professionals, advocates for reproductive rights and midwives host events, webinars and training courses across the US. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all of these events will be taking place online this year.
Read the Full Story at https://blavity.com/white-house-vows-to-address-black-maternal-health-crisis-exacerbated-by-pandemic?category1=news&category2=politics
