Advocates Demand Change on Black Maternal Health in Sacramento Testimony

Adjoa Jones, a prominent health advocate in Los Angeles, has committed herself to ensuring equitable birth outcomes for Black mothers and their infants. At a legislative briefing organized by the California Black Health Network (CBHN) on August 27, Jones recounted poignant stories that expose the alarming rates of pregnancy-related complications and fatalities experienced by Black women.She lamented the preventable deaths of two Black mothers in Southern California, emphasizing that systemic failures contribute to these tragedies. “These stories echo the urgent need for awareness and action,” Jones stated. During the event, titled “The State of Black Maternal Health” at Sacramento's California State Museum, panelists discussed legislative measures like Assembly Bill 2319, aimed at requiring implicit bias training for healthcare providers. Such initiatives strive to rectify the systemic inequities affecting maternal healthcare.Keynote speaker Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson highlighted that every five days, another mother in California succumbs to pregnancy complications, underscoring the need for comprehensive reforms.