Last month marked Black Maternal Health Week. This annual observance is a time to deepen the national conversation about the health and well-being of Black people and amplify community-driven and culturally relevant policy and care solutions. Planned Parenthood is proud to elevate the voices and experiences of Black women, pregnant people, families, and communities.
Evidence-based solutions and culturally relevant care are essential to respond to the rising rates of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. As we celebrate the critical roles of Black mothers, we must also recognize that historic and present-day systemic racism puts their health at risk. Pregnancy-related mortality rates are three times higher for Black women than for white women in this country, and this gap widened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Black people also have higher rates of preterm births and low-birth weight births. Research shows that racism significantly harms the mental and physical health of Black people.
Planned Parenthood lifts the work of Black-led birth justice and maternal health organizations because their invaluable work serves Black mothers and the support systems in their families and communities every day. Their missions merit your support all year round.
Donate now to four incredible organizations committed to advancing Black maternal health every day.
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Black Mamas Matter Alliance: a Black women-led alliance that centers Black people, advocates, drives research, builds power, and shifts culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.
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Mothering Justice: a grassroots policy and advocacy organization that provides mothers of color with the resources and tools to use their power to make equitable changes in policy.
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SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective: an organization that builds a network to improve institutional policies and systems that affect the reproductive lives of communities marginalized by systemic racism.
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National Birth Equity Collaborative: an organizational expert on the sexual and reproductive health and well-being of Black people, advocating to end the Black maternal health and infant mortality crises.
Black women, trans, and nonbinary people need, want, and deserve to go through pregnancy freely, safely, and joyfully.
Make a donation to advance Black maternal health care. Your gift will be equally distributed among these four organizations.
Thanks to the dedication of incredible partners focused on Black maternal health — and the support of people like you — we can help make sure every patient gets the care they deserve.
Planned Parenthood
