Public Health officials urge support, resources as part of Black Maternal Health Week

As part of an effort to promote the perinatal health and well-being of Black women during Black Maternal Health Week (Apr. 11-17), Riverside University Health System (RUHS) – Public Health’s Maternal Child Adolescent Health (MCAH) program today were in attendance for a proclamation urging women’s health to Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

The proclamation was presented and accepted during Black Maternal Health Week to reinforce the importance of increasing awareness around Black maternal health matters.

“It’s vital that we work together as a community to protect the health of Black women and mothers this week and every week,” said Stephanie Bryant, program chief, Maternal Child Adolescent Health program. “We can do this by reducing health disparities that exist for Black mothers through support, services and resources.”

According to recent data from the California Department of Public Health:

• Black mothers are nearly four times more likely than white mothers to die from pregnancy-related causes.
• Black women are at a 1.7 times higher risk of having a preterm birth when compared to white women.
• Black babies are two times more likely than white babies to die before their first birthday.

Additionally, RUHS Public Health’s Black Infant Health (BIH) program, in partnership with the Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI), supports expecting and postpartum Black mothers through a group-based approach to develop life skills, learn stress-reducing strategies and build social support.

To further enhance BIH services, the PEI offers free doula services to pregnant Black mothers, as well as fatherhood services to fathers who are in a relationship with pregnant or parenting Black mothers in Riverside County.

Learn more: https://www.rivcophn.org/Programs/Black-Infant-Health and follow the conversation on social media by following @blackinfanthealthrivco on Instagram.