why black maternal health week matters for maternal health equity

Despite modern healthcare advances, in 2021 there were 1,205 who women died of maternal causes in the United States. In 2020, 861 women died of maternal causes and in 2019, 754 women died.  

It is alarming that the number of women dying in childbirth continues to rise, and Black women face a higher risk of death or harm.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):  

• Black women are nearly three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.  
• In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was nearly 3 times the rate for White women, 69.9 deaths per 1,000 live births. 
• Babies born to Black mothers are twice as likely to die before their first birthday. 

Dayton Children’s mission to relentlessly pursue optimal health for every child within our reach means that the hospital is making it a priority to address the factors that impact Black maternal health so that there can be maternal health equity for our community.  

Maleka James is Dayton Children’s infant and child wellness initiatives project manager. She focuses on project coordination of infant mortality wellness initiatives at the hospital. She is also leading the hospital’s efforts to collaborate with adult hospital systems to develop quality improvement strategies focused on improving infant and maternal health outcomes. As a certified doula, and a mother herself, Maleka has first-hand knowledge of the emotional support and empowerment a mother needs when facing the birth and postpartum journey.  

“I am very passionate about this work as some of my family and friends have been impacted by maternal and infant mortality. I have consulted and comforted parents who have experienced an infant loss and carry their stories with me. Their stories are a continuous call to me to make a difference, shares Maleka.  

It takes a collaborative effort to educate mothers, healthcare workers and community members about maternal health and wellness to move the needle on the current statistics of maternal health.  

what can a pregnant person do? 

“Pregnant women and birthing people can also take charge in their treatment and care! Their families can also provide lifesaving support as they navigate pregnancy and birth,” says Maleka. The CDC suggests that they: 

• Speak up! Talk with your healthcare provider if something doesn’t feel right or is concerning.  
• Know and seek immediate care if you are experiencing any of the urgent maternal warning signs, these include severe headache, extreme swelling in hands and face, trouble breathing, and heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge. There are a few other urgent maternal warning signs and becoming familiar with them can save a life.   
• Document and share pregnancy history during each medical care visit for up to one year after delivery. This can help providers identify potential risk factors and provide appropriate care. 

In the Dayton region to support mothers who may need medical and social services – including food, housing, transportation, cribs and diapers- there is the Dayton Regional Pathways HUB. For more information, contact daytonhub@gdaha.org or call 931-424-2361.  

what can healthcare providers do?  

“The healthcare professionals who see and treat pregnant women and their families have a role in improving their chances for optimal health,” says Maleka.  

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) suggest the following for hospitals, healthcare systems and providers to reduce black maternal mortality: 

• Identify and address unconscious bias in healthcare through provider training, self-reflection, and increasing diversity in healthcare.  
• Improve the delivery of quality prenatal and postpartum care by providing evidence-based clinical practices and standardized protocols. 
• Help patients manage chronic conditions or conditions that may arise during pregnancy, like hypertension, diabetes, and/or depression. 
• Coordinate ongoing healthcare for women before, during, and after pregnancy through care coordination services linking women to health-promoting resources. This helps to ensure women receive continuous coordinated care, mental health, and social support services throughout the birthing and postpartum periods. 

what can we do? 

Dayton Children’s is committed to working alongside community partners to build awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black women and birthing people during Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW).  

BMWH was from April 11 to April 17 and presented an opportunity for all in our community to raise awareness and work together to improve outcomes for black mothers and babies. In order to support these efforts, Dayton Children’s partnered with Queens Village Dayton, a Black women-led group dedicated to amplifying Black women's voices with the goal of maternal equity for all Black moms and babies. 

For more information about maternal health or infant and child wellness, email Maleka at jamesm@childrensdayton.org.