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Recognizing April 11 - 17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in the City of Philadelphia
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WHEREAS, Recognizing and supporting the health and wellness of Black mamas and birthing people by acknowledging "Black Maternal Health Week" in the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The eighth annual national Black Maternal Health Week - themed "Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy!" - was held from April 11 - 17, 2025. The week fosters awareness, activism, and community building intended to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the United States; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women in the
United States are 3 to 4 times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related
causes and are twice as likely to suffer from life-threatening pregnancy complications, known as "maternal morbidities;" and
WHEREAS, The high rates of maternal mortality among Black women span across income
levels, education levels, and socioeconomic status; and
WHEREAS, From 2022 to 2023 Black Women were the only group to see an increase in pregnancy related fatalities. Black Women are also now 3.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes. This has increased from 2019 when the likelihood was 2.5 times that of white women; and
WHEREAS, Non-Hispanic Black women made up 43% of live births in Philadelphia and accounted for 73% of the pregnancy-related deaths from 2013 to 2018 as compared to non-Hispanic white women who made up 26% of Philadelphia births and accounted for 19% of pregnancy-related deaths; and
WHEREAS, Black women have historically had the highest maternal mortality rates due to a combination of effects from institutional racism that have resulted in susceptibility to certain health conditions and lack of access to quality prenatal care; and
WHEREAS, Events for Black Maternal Health week will be held locally by the Oshun F...
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