Black Maternal Health week (April 11–17) is a moment to reflect on the disparities that shape maternal health outcomes in the US—and to voice the policy solutions to eliminate them. Black women in the US remain three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, a persistent and preventable crisis. Our most recent blog post outlines key policy solutions that can end this crisis.
Researchers offer a state-by-state tracker measuring legislative progress on police reform since 2020. The tool reveals wide variation in reform adoption and provides a benchmark for communities and policymakers to evaluate accountability, transparency, and training practices in law enforcement.
In this Brookings commentary, researchers explain how police violence has far-reaching public health effects—leading to community trauma, institutional mistrust, and worsening health outcomes, especially for Black Americans. They call for a reimagining of safety that centers healing and care.
Researchers at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research examine how paid leave influences caregiving, mental health, and economic stability. Drawing from interviews with DC residents, this qualitative study reveals how access to paid leave shaped participants’ ability to manage caregiving responsibilities, heal from personal loss, and remain employed. The report calls for policy improvements that expand awareness and accessibility.
Researchers analyze shifts in unpaid caregiving since the pandemic, showing that although men took on more responsibilities, women—especially women of color—continue to carry the bulk of the burden. The study underscores how entrenched gender roles in caregiving contribute to ongoing inequalities in income, time, and well-being.
Community corner
Congratulations to Julia Interrante, Cynthia Pando, Alyssa Fritz, and Katy Kozhimannil for receiving the John M. Eisenberg Article of the Year Award from Health Services Research for their work on perinatal care among Hispanic birthing people. Read the award-winning article.
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