SR 544: Black Maternal Health Week; recognize April 11-17, 2025

Senate Resolution 544

By: Senators Jackson of the 41st, Anderson of the 43rd, Davenport of the 17th, Brass of the 6th and Jones II of the 22nd

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Black Maternal Health Week was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing persons; and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women in the United States are two to three times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-related causes; and

WHEREAS, Black women and individuals living in low-income and rural communities in the United States are among those most likely to suffer from life-threatening pregnancy complications, known as maternal morbidities; and

WHEREAS, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among affluent countries, in part because of the disproportionate mortality rate of Black women; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, the maternal mortality rate in the United States decreased for White, Hispanic, and Asian women but increased to 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women; and

WHEREAS, the maternal mortality rate in Georgia is 32.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, and the infant mortality rate is 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable; and

WHEREAS, Black women are 50 percent more likely than all other women to give birth to premature, low birthweight, and very low birthweight infants; and

WHEREAS, the high rates of maternal mortality among Black women persist across all income levels, education levels, and socioeconomic statuses; and

WHEREAS, the leading causes of maternal mortality among Black women and birthing persons include eclampsia, preeclampsia, postpartum cardiomyopathy, and obstetric embolism, all of which disproportionately impact Black women and birthing people; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has the highest rate of Caesarean section deliveries with 35.8 percent of live births resulting in C-sections, and Black infants experienced the highest rate at 38.1 percent from 2021 to 2023; and

WHEREAS, states and rural counties with higher Black populations experience severe maternity care deserts, where hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care and obstetric providers are lacking, and access to reproductive health care providers is further diminished due to low Medicaid reimbursements, rising costs, and persistent health care workforce shortages; and

WHEREAS, maternity care deserts lead to higher risks of maternal morbidity and mortality, as most complications occur in the postpartum period when birthing people are far from their providers; and

WHEREAS, Black midwives, doulas, perinatal health workers, and community-based organizations provide holistic maternal care and support but face structural and legal barriers to licensure, reimbursement, and the provision of care; and

WHEREAS, Black Maternal Health Week serves as an opportunity to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health, amplify solutions, and center the voices of Black women, families, and stakeholders.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.