The city Health Department on Thursday announced a series of events in celebration of Black Maternal Health Week.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Black Maternal Health Week aims to connect pregnant individuals and their families with resources to support them through pregnancy and early childhood. Scheduled from April 11 to April 17, under the theme Rooted in Justice and Joy, each event is designed to address maternal and infant health inequities. NYC Health Department’s data show that Black non-Hispanic women are about five times more likely to die of a pregnancy-associated cause than white, non-Hispanic women.
“Black Maternal Health Week reminds us that justice and joy are not luxuries, they are essentials,” NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said in a statement. “When we create safe, welcoming spaces and connect families to resources, we don’t just address inequity, we nurture a future where every Black mother and baby can thrive.”
Black Maternal Health Week was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance a decade ago, aiming to build awareness and foster activism and community building, amplifying the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of Black mothers and birthing people. This year’s theme, Rooted in Justice and Joy, acknowledges the enduring legacies of systemic oppression, reproductive injustices, and health inequities that continue to impact Black maternal health, while calling for a liberated future rooted in restoration, justice and joy.
In line with this year’s theme, programming features activities including paint and sip, belly dancing, yoga classes, and self-care Bingo. The week also includes a presentation by the NYC Commission on Human Rights on birth justice and the rights of pregnant New Yorkers, and a discussion on the importance of doulas.
The Health Department’s Healthy Start Brooklyn program will host a community dialogue on Black maternal health just before the week begins. All events will be hosted by the NYC Health Department’s Family Wellness Suites, located in the Neighborhood Health Action Centers of Brownsville, East Harlem, and East Tremont in the Bronx.
Services include:
- Education on childbirth and maternal and infant safety topics, such as hypertension and gestational diabetes, as well as infant safe sleep and car seat safety
- Perinatal mental health classes that include an overview of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
- Parenting Journey workshops for improving parenting skills
- Perinatal massage and yoga sessions and stress-management technique sessions
- Reproductive health observances and special events
- Breastfeeding support groups
- Referrals to mental health services
- Referrals to social care support services, such as home visiting, housing, food and nutrition, employment, education, and transportation needs.
In addition, there are two large Brooklyn events:
Brooklyn Prequel: Thursday, April 9, 10:00am to 12:30pm
Location: Brownsville Community Justice Center, 50 Belmont Ave.
- 10:00am: Breakfast and Networking
- 10:30am: Community Dialogue to Bridge Care and Community: Why are Black mothers and babies at higher risk during pregnancy and childbirth, and what can we do together to change that? Issues, solutions, and the joy of Black birth!
Brooklyn: Wednesday, April 15, 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Location: Brownsville Action Center, 259 Bristol St.
- 12:30pm to 12:45pm: Welcome and Opening Remarks
- 12:45pm to 1:00pm: New Family Home Visiting Presentation
- 1:00pm to 2:00pm: Stress-Reduction Hour (option of sugar scrub, yoga class, and walking group)
- 2:00pm to 2:15pm: Human Rights Commission Presentation
- 2:15pm to 2:30pm: The IRTH (Birth Without Bias) App Presentation (IRTH is the top app for prenatal, birth, postpartum, and pediatric care reviews from Black and brown women)
- 2:30pm to 2:45pm: Healthy Start Brooklyn and Citywide Doula Initiative Presentation
- 2:45pm to 3:00pm: Lunch and Closing Remarks
