WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen joined Congresswoman Alma Adams, PhD, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and more than 30 other members of Congress as founding members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus.
“Black women are four times more likely to die from preventable pregnancy related complications than white women and are two times more likely to lose an infant to a premature death. This is unacceptable,” said Congressman Cohen. “The infant mortality rate in Memphis is woefully high. These disparities are inexcusable and Congress must do all it can to ensure equal and comprehensive access to pre- and post-natal care for Black women.”
“Racial disparities in maternal health have not improved in three decades. Regardless of educational attainment and income, Black women and their children are at risk.” said Founder and Black Maternal Health Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Adams. “As a Black mother and grandmother, I’m proud to launch the Black Maternal Health Caucus to ensure that Black women and infants have the rights, respect and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.”
“The statistics around black maternal health are horrifying, and they haven’t improved in thirty years as maternal health outcomes overall have worsened. But this issue extends beyond statistics for too many women and families, it’s their reality,” said Founder and Black Maternal Health Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Underwood. “This issue demands unique Congressional attention and I’m so proud to lead this effort with Congresswoman Adams to elevate black maternal health as a national priority and explore and advocate for effective, evidence-based culturally-competent policies and best practices. The status quo is intolerable, we must come together to reverse current trends and achieve optimal birth outcomes for all families.”
The Black Maternal Health Caucus aims to raise awareness within Congress to establish Black maternal health as a national priority, and explore and advocate for effective, evidence-based, culturally-competent policies and best practices for health outcomes for Black mothers.
