South Dayton News

The Ohio House has passed legislation that will officially recognize Black Maternal Health Week in April of each year, thanks to the effort of State Representative Andrea White. The week, which will be celebrated from April 11 to April 17, aims to raise awareness about the maternal, pregnancy, and infant care of black babies and mothers.

Representative White highlighted the urgent need for this legislation, stating, "Ohio has some of the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the country." She emphasized that "black mothers are two and a half times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than other moms, and black babies are more than three times more likely to die before their first birthday." In order to address this serious issue, she believes that raising awareness and finding solutions are crucial, as "we owe it to our mothers and infants to give them the best chance at life."

Currently, Ohio ranks 41st in the country for its infant mortality rate, with one in 150 infants not living to the age of one. Furthermore, only 25% of pregnant mothers in the state have access to prenatal care in their first trimester, and over half of all infants and toddlers live below the federal poverty line.

On a national level, black babies have an infant mortality rate of 10.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is significantly higher than the U.S. average of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 births. Additionally, black mothers are three times more likely to die during birth.

The legislation will now proceed to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. If passed, it will officially establish Black Maternal Health Week as an annual event in Ohio, bringing much-needed attention to the critical issues faced by black mothers and infants in the state.

By recognizing and addressing these disparities in maternal and infant health, Ohio aims to improve outcomes for black mothers and babies, ultimately reducing the alarming rates of mortality. The passage of this legislation is a significant step towards achieving this goal, and it is a testament to the dedication and advocacy of State Representative Andrea White.

To find out more, go to this link: https://ohiohouse.gov/members/andrea-white/news/ohio-recognition-of-black-maternal-health-week-passes-ohio-house-thanks-to-whites-legislation-117672