SPOTLIGHT ON BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH
鈥�Rooted in Justice & Joy鈥�
#BMHW26
Written by Taylor Spears, MD, 蜜芽appReproductive Health Project Fellow
The second week of April is an important week for maternal health, research and empowerment. is a movement founded by the and takes place annually on April 11th-17th. April was intentionally chosen as it is also . Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a 鈥渘etwork of Black-led/Black women-led organizations and multi-disciplinary professionals who work to ensure that all Black Mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.鈥澨�
After doing more research about the movement, one of the most interesting facts shared by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. is that they are banded together in support of Black mothers whether they have borne children or not. They fight for the rights of community mothers, those who continuously take care of others without looking for any form of repayment outside of the betterment of their community and home. BMMA provides facts about maternal health and reproductive health in an easy to find and easy to understand manner. Some of these facts will be shared during Black Maternal Health Week on AMSA鈥檚 Instagram page . They even provide a mental health fact sheet for and about black mothers (see link below).
This highlights the idea that we have to stop ignoring the facts. We believe research in every other aspect, but when approached with the continued mistreatment of African American patients, some people turn a blind eye. The facts are the facts and the research is real, so what are you going to do about it?听
In the U.S., Black Women are over 3 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. CDC notes that more than 80% of pregnancy related deaths are preventable.
What can we do as students?? As medical students, there are several ways to support this movement. As 蜜芽appmembers, we offer the opportunity to hold your own chapter event during Black Maternal Health Week where you can enjoy a film screening, host an issue education session, or indulge in the education of our Manual Vacuum Aspiration training, etc. Short on time that week? No problem. 蜜芽appoffers these opportunities year round, and you can display your interest by completing one or all of the following forms:听
Outside of AMSA, you can support and volunteer with your local organizations that advocate for Black mamas and recognize and bring light to the disproportionate rate of maternal morbidity and mortality of Black mothers. Also, research! Lead or join research projects that help us to better understand the causes of the disproportionate risks between Black women and others. Educate yourself and others on how we can make our pregnancies easier, healthier, and make the proper care more accessible.听 You can use your platform to amplify the movement and share facts about the movement, reproductive justice, and reproductive rights. Several of these posts can be found on the 蜜芽appInstagram page during Black Maternal Health Week and simply shared. To increase awareness and enhance the interactions your posts receive, use hashtags #BMHW26, #BlackMamasMatter, #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, and #BlackMaternalHealth.听
We desire to assist you in your advocacy efforts and journey, as we do our part as an organization to support Black Maternal Health Week.
Email us here rhp@amsa.org听
Resource to Explore & Share:
- 2026 Black Maternal Health Week National Call, Black Mamas Matter Alliance 鈥撎�
- , Black Mamas Matter Alliance
- Raising awareness for Black maternal health, 11 Alive 鈥撎�
- ProPublica Investigation on How Hospitals Are Failing Black Mothers, Planned Parenthood Florida Action 鈥撎�
- Holding Ground on Maternal Health:听Maternal Health Awareness Day 2026 ACOG Webinar with Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, the Julia A. Okoro Professor of Black Maternal Health in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine 鈥撎�
Research to Explore & Share:
- Why Access to Abortion Care Matters for Black Maternal Health,听The Century Foundation 鈥撎�
- From Crisis to Commitment: Ending the Epidemic of Maternal Mortality among Black Women: A Call to Action, Health & Social Work 鈥撎�
- Why Aren鈥檛 We Using Family Medicine to Help Confront the Maternal Mortality Crisis in the United States?听Obstetric Anesthesia Digest 鈥�听
Upcoming Opportunities to Explore & Share:
- April 11 Online @ 2:30pmE 鈥�听Black Maternal Health & Birth Justice Across Regions: In Honor of International Day for Maternal Health and Rights 鈥撎�
- April 13 Online @12:00pmE听鈥� #BMHW26 Virtual Pep Rally: Black Maternal Health in Your Neighborhood 鈥撎�
- April 16 Online @ 6:00pmE听鈥� Beyond the Binary鈥擝lack Trans Family Building in a World Not Built for US 鈥撎�
