A Resolution recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women.

PRINTER'S NO. 3062
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 451
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY CURRY, MAYES, CEPHAS, WAXMAN, PIELLI, HOHENSTEIN,
PROBST, BOYD, VENKAT, SHUSTERMAN, RIVERA, HILL-EVANS,
HANBIDGE, SANCHEZ AND McNEILL, MARCH 23, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, MARCH 24, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black
Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to
the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing
maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women.
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Black women in the United States are more than three
times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-related
causes; and
WHEREAS, The United States has the highest maternal mortality
rate among affluent countries, in part because of the
disproportionate maternal mortality rate of Black women; and
WHEREAS, The rate of preterm births among Black women is
nearly 50% higher than the preterm birth rate among White or
Hispanic women; and
WHEREAS, The high rates of maternal mortality among Black
women span across income levels, education levels and
socioeconomic status; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, the overall pregnancy-associated mortality
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rate for this Commonwealth was 97 deaths per 100,000 live
births; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, the pregnancy-associated mortality rate for
non-Hispanic Blacks was 186 deaths per 100,000 live births, more
than two times the rate of deaths for non-Hispanic Whites; and
WHEREAS, More than half of deaths occurred after the end of
the pregnancy; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, 98% of pregnancy-related deaths in this
Commonwealth were considered preventable; and
WHEREAS, Fifty-three percent of cases of maternal death in
this Commonwealth between 2013 and 2018 affected mothers who
were enrolled in medical assistance when they delivered; and
WHEREAS, Approximately half of pregnancy-associated death
cases in this Commonwealth between 2013 and 2018 did not receive
adequate prenatal care; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia County accounts for 20% of this
Commonwealth's maternal deaths; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia County's rate of pregnancy-related
deaths from 2013 to 2018 was approximately 20 per 100,000 live
births, which is higher than the 2018 national rate of 17.4 per
100,000 live births; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, pregnancy-related deaths for Black women in
Pittsburgh were higher than 97% of similar cities in the United
States, despite starting prenatal care earlier than Black
pregnant women in similar cities and having lower rates of
gestational diabetes, hypertension and infection; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health
Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to the maternal health
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crisis and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and
morbidity among Black women.
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