Friend,

Last week, I authored an op-ed on how COVID-19 is negatively impacting black women at a disproportional rate. This week, we raise the alarm on yet another issue, Black Maternal Health. I wanted to take a moment here to discuss how Black mothers and women fare in our nation’s health system, and what we can do about it.

Did you know that Black women die 2.5 times more often than white women from pregnancy-related issues? Or that we are 43% more likely to die of breast cancer? We have higher rates of obesity, hypertension, and fibroids -- and Black Americans are dying of COVID-19 at higher rates than other races.

These statistics are just the surface of the racial health disparities that exist in our country. They may be grim, but it’s crucial that we recognize that these health disparities are killing Black women. And it’s time for Congress to do something about it.

I have made Black women’s health a focus in my career. In Congress, I Co-Chair the Black Women & Girls Caucus. I also founded and Co-Chair the Congressional Task Force on Black Women and Girls, which tackles issues that disproportionately affect Black women -- including healthcare, safety, economic opportunity, and criminal justice reform.

There is still so much we need to do to comprehensively address Black maternal health. We need to tackle racial bias in our hospital. We need to expand access to healthcare coverage by passing Medicare for All. We need expanded paid family leave. We need quality reproductive healthcare -- and so much more. 

Let’s not forget that Black women’s health is both a women’s rights issue and a healthcare issue, and awareness is just the first step to finding a solution. 

I was pleased to see a host of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates release plans to end racial disparities in healthcare. And in that vein, we must continue to ensure that Black women’s health is a continued part of our national dialogue.

That’s why Black Maternal Health Week is so important. We can use this time to amplify this cause by developing new research and policy solutions while centering the voices of Black women and mothers. And hopefully, we can spur new organizing efforts to address Black health disparities. 

Team, I have and always will be at the forefront of that fight in Congress to better Black women’s health, safety, and prosperity. And in the weeks and months ahead, I hope you will join me in continuing the conversation at the national level.

— Yvette