Black Maternal Health Week Highlights Persistent Disparities and Policy Action

In light of Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), numerous states, politicians, and organizations have made efforts to raise awareness and educate the public about the racial inequities in our health system, particularly in maternal health.

BMHW, coined by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, marked its 10th anniversary this year. Officially designated the week of April 11–17 by Congress in 2022, the movement continues to recognize the socioeconomic, racial, and systemic inequities that Black women face in health care. Although maternal deaths overall have decreased, Black women have a mortality rate 3 times that of White women and significantly higher when compared with that of Hispanic and Asian women.¹ Even after Medicaid expansion of postpartum coverage, disparities still remain.

To further address these inequities, multiple organizations hosted a series of awareness events, education sessions, and social media campaigns, like the NYC Health Department, which centered their events around this year’s theme “Rooted in Justice & Joy.”²

States and Lawmakers Amplify Black Maternal Health Week Initiatives

“Black Maternal Health Week reminds us that justice and joy are not luxuries; they are essentials,” said NYC Health Commissioner Alister F. Martin, MD, MPP, in a press release. “When we create safe, welcoming spaces and connect families to resources, we don’t just address inequity, we nurture a future where every Black mother and baby can thrive.”²

NYC is not the only state to acknowledge BMHW; North Carolina was recognized for its exceptional Black maternal patient outcomes in 2024, and representatives Alma Adams (D, Illinois) and Lauren Underwood (D, Illinois) introduced a bicameral resolution with Senator Cory Booker (D, New Jersey) to recognize the week.^3,4

“This week is a time for us to raise awareness around the maternal mortality and morbidity epidemic Black mothers face and urge our congressional and state leaders to take action,” Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, said in a press release.⁴ “We need to see a real commitment from Congress to address this crisis, and I am dedicated to working with our Black maternal health advocates across the country to make that happen.”

Postpartum Mortality Remains a Critical Driver of Maternal Deaths

In addition to federally recognizing BMHW, Congress also passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which extended Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months.⁵ The postpartum period is crucial to preventing maternal mortality, as more than 60% of pregnancy-related deaths occur postpartum. The plan also addresses women who only qualified for Medicaid due to pregnancy and would lose their coverage afterward, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.^5,6

The study also revealed that in 2022, Black women were 2 times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications within 42 days of delivery when compared with non-Hispanic White women and 4 times as likely to die from pregnancy-associated causes up to 12 months postpartum.⁷

“The postpartum period is one of intense physiologic and psychosocial adaptation and requires consistent monitoring of health to support women during this critical time,” lead study author Teresa Janevic, ​PhD, associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School, said in a press release.⁷

Prior to the Medicaid extension, the rates of uninsurance among Black women in non-expansion states were 16.5% and 6.4% in expansion states and 11.1% and 5.4%, respectively, for White women. 49 states have enacted laws extending Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months.⁵

Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Expansion Reduces Uninsurance, Gaps Persist

Following the extension, uninsurance rates in non-expansion states fell for both racial groups—from 16.5% in 2019 to 11.8% in 2023 for Black women and 11.0% to 7.0% among White women; however, the incentive behind the change in rates differed.

For Black individuals in non-expansive states, the observed decrease in uninsurance was largely attributed to an increase in Medicaid, whereas for White individuals, the change was mixed between gains in Medicaid and private insurance.⁵

However, despite these efforts, disparities still remain. As of September 2025, the CDC reported Black women still had a significantly higher rate of maternal mortality at 43.3 deaths per 100,000 births when compared with 13.8 for non-Hispanic White women, 12.8 for non-Hispanic Asian women, and 11.1 for Hispanic women.

BMHW is also strategically recognized within April because it is also National Minority Health Awareness Month, which continues to challenge the health inequities underserved populations face as a whole.

References

1. Maternal mortality in the U.S. declined, though disparities. Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. February 7, 2025. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://policycentermmh.org/maternal-mortality-in-the-u-s-a-declining-trend-with-persistent-racial-disparities-in-the-black-population/

2. NYC Health Department celebrates Black Maternal Health Week with focus on justice, joy, and community care. NYC Health. April 9, 2026. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/press/pr2026/nyc-health-department-celebrates-black-maternal-health-week.page

3. McCrear S. In North Carolina, exemplary maternal care benefits Black patients. U.S. News & World Report. August 28, 2024. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/articles/north-carolina-exemplary-maternal-care-benefits-black-patients

4. Reps. Adams, Underwood, and Sen. Booker introduce Black Maternal Health Week resolution. Congresswoman Alma Adams. April 16, 2026. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-adams-underwood-and-sen-booker-introduce-black-maternal-health

5. Janevic T, Kim H, Ng A, et al. Racial inequities in postpartum coverage during Medicaid continuous coverage: evidence from ACA expansion vs non-expansion states. Am J Prev Med. Published online February 14, 2026. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2026.108320

6. Declercq E. Maternal mortality in the United States, 2025. The Commonwealth Fund. July 29, 2025. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2025/jul/maternal-mortality-united-states-2025

7. Despite postpartum Medicaid coverage gains for Black women, significant equity gaps persist. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. March 19, 2026. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/despite-postpartum-medicaid-coverage-gains-black-women-significant-equity-gaps-persist