Black Maternal Health Week raises awareness of Black women’s maternal mortality rate in US

CHICAGO (WLS) — Black Maternal Health Week raises awareness about the health crisis many Black mothers face. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A long history of systemic racism and bias is largely to blame. Studies show Black women are often dismissed or ignored when suffering from severe injuries or pregnancy-related complications. The issue is not only gaining national attention, but also local. JB Pritzker called for $23 million to advance birth equity in Illinois. This comes as Chicago makes plans to build a new birthing center on the city’s South Side. Dr. LaTasha Nelson from Northwestern Medical Group visited ABC 7 to talk more about the efforts to solve this dire issue. READ ALSO | 11 shot in Back of the Yards; 8-year-old girl killed, CPD says Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.