Governor Proclaims Black Maternal Health Week 2024

BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK

2024

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, North Carolina has high severe maternal morbidity rates – unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in negative consequences to a woman’s health; and

WHEREAS, in North Carolina, 135.2 Black women per 10,000 die related to labor and delivery compared to 80.7 per 10,000 for white women, a disparity that has remained consistent over time; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina has a Perinatal Health Strategic Plan to address healthy equity, improve maternal and infant health, and improve the overall health and wellness of people of reproductive age; and

WHEREAS, throughout the week of April 11 – 17, 2024, local health departments and community-based organizations will celebrate Black Maternal Health Week with community meetings, social media campaigns, and educational sessions in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health, Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section; and

WHEREAS, the Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section collaborates with partners across North Carolina to improve maternal morbidity and mortality rates in North Carolina, including initiatives to support group prenatal care, educate perinatal providers and consumers on maternal warning signs during the 12 weeks after giving birth, and encourage review of maternal death records by the Maternal Mortality Review Committee; and

WHEREAS, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee develops recommendations to reduce pregnancy-related deaths, and improve screening, treatment, and referral for maternal mental health and substance use disorders through the NC Maternal Mental Health MATTERS program; and

WHEREAS, these programs also focus on raising awareness of the state of Black maternal health in North Carolina and work to ensure that pregnant and postpartum women in North Carolina have access to safe and quality prenatal and postpartum care, as women who have access to the perinatal and mental health providers and who give birth in the appropriate level birth facility have better birth outcomes and experience fewer maternal morbidities or “near misses” after birth; and

WHEREAS, these events and programs will increase awareness and offer resources, information, and support that can have a positive impact on the lives of North Carolinians;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 11 – 17, 2024, as “BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

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Roy Cooper

Governor

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this fifth day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.