Overall, 54.6% of Black women in CA received optimal person-centered care during childbirth in 2023 — lower than the statewide average. Respectful care is linked to better postpartum health.

Many Californians experience food insecurity during pregnancy. The ongoing federal government shutdown puts essential food benefits at risk. California WIC grocery stores are open in November, and food banks can assist.
Food banks: cafoodbanks.org/our-members
WIC stores: www.myfamily.wic.ca.gov

Language Service Cutbacks Raise Fear of Medical Errors, Misdiagnoses, Deaths - KFF Health News Federal cuts are hurting community organizations in California that provide language assistance services to people who speak limited English. Despite President Trump’s executive order declaring Englis...

🗣️ Federal cuts are gutting language access in health care. “We must consider the dire consequences when people don’t have effective communication,” says NHeLP's Mara Youdelman. Hospitals must still provide language services—for free. @kffhealthnews.org
🔗 kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Exclusive | HHS to Stop Recommending Routine Covid Shots for Children, Pregnant Women CDC currently recommends that everyone six months and older receive the vaccines

This decision is antithetical to public health. COVID-19 in pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, is extremely dangerous and aside from the elderly infants younger than 6 months have the highest risk of hospitalization from COVID. They are critically dependent on maternal antibodies.

Medicaid cuts are an everybody problem. Even if you are not part of the over 50% directly connected, cuts to Medicaid will impact the rest of our health system, leading to long wait times, fewer hospitals, and more strained healthcare workers.

KFF map titled “An Additional 8.6M People Nationwide Could be Uninsured if the Energy & Commerce (E&C) Reconciliation Bill is Passed.” The map shows the percentage point increase in the uninsured population if the E&C Reconciliation Bill is finalized based on partial CBO numbers, by state, 2034.

A new KFF analysis shows that the number of uninsured people and the uninsured rate would increase in every state under the House reconciliation package.

See maps and tables showing how your state and others would be affected under the legislation: on.kff.org/43pAyJU

🔊🔊Pandemic deepens maternal health disparities in deprived areas

Racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity widened during the pandemic, but only in deprived areas

Read more here: doi.org/10.1016/j.an...

Tomorrow is #AANHPIMentalHealthDay. We must support AANHPI birthing people facing mental health challenges during and after pregnancy. They need culturally & linguistically appropriate care, especially during times of heightened racial discrimination.

📞 1-833-TLC-MAMA
🌐 bit.ly/API-Desi-support

This #MaternalMentalHealthWeek, we highlight the importance of mental health in supporting overall maternal well-being. Birthing people face unique challenges, with 1 in 3 experiencing anxiety or depression. Support is key. For help, call 1-833-TLC-MAMA. 🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/cdph-mentalhealth-covid

The Centering Black Mothers in CA report provides a roadmap to improve Black maternal health by addressing the impacts of structural racism in neighborhoods, communities, & health care. Transformative change starts with Black women. @bwwla.bsky.social

🔗Learn more: bit.ly/cbm-report  

#BMHW25

“Black Women for Wellness LA is hosting several community-based events during Black Maternal Health Week, a national observance held each year April 11-17. The annual event is dedicated to raising awareness about the alarming disparities in maternal health outcomes affecting Black women in the US.”

This #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, we’re partnering with the UCSF MILK Lab to illustrate how maternity care experiences shape Black birth equity in California.

🔗Learn more: healthequity.ucsf.edu/mce

#BMHW25

Black-led, community-rooted care saves lives.

When Black birthing people are supported by providers who look like them and understand their lived experiences, outcomes improve—and so does trust in the healthcare system.

Learn more about the policy, data, and orgs leading this work.

#BMHW25

Everyone deserves the chance to grow their family—but bias and inequity continue to block access to fertility care for too many Black women and birthing people.

Georgia’s HB94 is a step toward fertility justice. Big love to SisterSong, Inc. for leading the charge.

#BMHW25 #FertilityJustice

Black Mamas deserve to thrive—not just survive.

Yet heart disease is still the #1 cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S., hitting Black women hardest.

We need bold, targeted action now!

Grateful to our partners at Perinatal Health Equity for leading the way. 💜
#BMHW25 #CardiovascularHealth

Black women are still dying at alarming—and preventable—rates during and after pregnancy.

The Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act (H.R.3838) is a step toward equity and accountability in maternal health.

#BMHW25 #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #HR3838 #EndMaternalMortality #BlackMamasMatter

Maternal mental health is maternal health. Yet Black women facing postpartum depression are often dismissed or go without care.

Policies like CA’s SB 626 and the work of our Alliance Partners are changing that—providing healing, support & culturally aligned services.

#BMHW25 #MentalHealth

At Black Women for Wellness, we go all out for our Black mamas — all day, every day. But for the next seven days, from April 11–17, we join forces with communities across the nation to uplift Black mothers and birthing people, demand equitable maternal care, and celebrate our joy and resilience.

The countdown to #BMHW25 is ON! From April 11–17, we’re rallying under the theme: Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health through Collective Action and Advocacy. 💜

Get involved! Visit blkmaternalhealthweek.com to register for events & find local Alliance Partner events!

#BMHW25 is HERE! 🎉

Join BMMA, Inc. as we kick off our 8th year uplifting Black Mamas & mobilizing for change under the theme: Healing Legacies.

Don’t miss today’s Virtual Pep Rally: Black Maternal Health in Your Neighborhood! 💜

🔗 Register now: bit.ly/bmhw25rally

#ReproJustice