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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 1, 2024 10:47 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Morgan Cephas and Rep. Gina H. Curry, Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | "Black Maternal Health Week" - April 11 through April 17, 2024 |
| This resolution would recognize the week of April 11 through 17, 2024, as the second annual "Black Maternal Health Week" to bring attention to the maternal health crisis in Pennsylvania and the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing persons. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women in the United States are 2.6 times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-related causes. Maternal mortality rates in the United States are among the highest of any member country of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and are increasing rapidly from 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018, to 32.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among affluent countries, in part because of the disproportionate mortality rate of Black women, with the rate of preterm birth among Black women nearly 50% higher than the preterm birth rate among White or Hispanic women. The high rates of maternal mortality among Black women span across income levels, education levels and socioeconomic status. Recognizing how dire the circumstances truly are, and continuing to bring attention to this life or death matter must be a priority. Please join us in recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2024, as the second annual "Black Maternal Health Week" to bring attention to this important issue. |
Introduced as HR373