Black Maternal Health Week Wrap

April 19, 2024


 
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Dearly Beloved Neighbor,

I was proud to stand with fellow State Representatives Kai Belton and Trenee McGee at a press conference on Wednesday in support of Black Maternal Health Week! This year's theme, 'Our Bodies STILL Belong To Us: Reproductive Justice Now!' was our focus. We wanted to bring more awareness to this issue because we truly need to address the racial disparities that exist in maternal healthcare.
Rep McGee said, "We must work tirelessly to eliminate the racial disparities in maternal care, ensure equitable access to quality healthcare, and empower women of color with the resources and respect they deserve. By coming together around this issue, we can build a more just and equitable system for every mother."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women, and the reasons range from a variation in quality healthcare to underlying chronic conditions to structural racism, to implicit and explicit bias. However, in the city of New Haven, Black women are seven-to-eight times more likely to die than their White counterparts. The CDC also notes that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are wholly preventable.
There is a piece of legislation that has been introduced in this session that would do wonders. It's HB5318: An Act Requiring the Licensure of Lactation Consultants. Rep. Belton said this bill would significantly enhance accessibility to crucial lactation support services, essential for fostering successful breastfeeding experiences between mothers and their babies.
Rep Belton said, "The racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes underscore the urgency of supporting women, particularly Black women, in their breastfeeding journeys. By providing equitable access to lactation support, we can take substantive steps toward bridging these disparities and promoting the well-being of both mothers and infants."

I would like to note Public Act 23-147, An Act Protecting Maternal Health was signed into law last year and made various changes to bolster healthcare access and services for maternal and infant health. This landmark piece of legislation is aimed at safeguarding the well-being of mothers, birthing parents, and infants across our state. The bill provisions collectively seek to address the racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, promote access to culturally competent care, and support the well-being of all families throughout Connecticut. I think PA-23-147 is truly a great piece of legislation to assist in bringing parity in quality of care to the overall birthing journey.

As we close this year’s Black Maternal Health Week, I am reminded that it is not just about acknowledging the deep and widening disparities, it is also about actively doing the work to dismantle the systems that enable them to exist in the first place. Let us dedicate ourselves to ensuring every single mother and birthing parent receives the care and support they need and deserve. Let us make sure that they are heard, respected, and celebrated throughout their birthing journey and that it is a journey filled with lots of love and unspeakable joy – not just this week, but 365 days a year.

WTNH did a story on the topic on Wednesday, please click on the video below to watch.
 
Thank you to all of those who came out to support this crucial work. A special thank you to the members of the Black Maternal Health Project for their attendance as well. 
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns at Robyn.Porter@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-1371.

In Dedicated and Loyal Service,

Robyn A. Porter
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