Senate Resolution No. 251

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 11-17, 2023, as Black Maternal Health Week in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
health issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 11-17, 2023, as
Black Maternal Health Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The inaugural National Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW)
campaign, founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, is a week
of awareness, activism, and community building; and

WHEREAS, Intended to increase attention in the State of Black
maternal health in the U.S., the root causes of poor maternal health
outcomes, and community-driven policy, program, and care solutions; and

WHEREAS, In addition, it serves as a national platform for Black
women-led entities and efforts on maternal health, birth justice, and
reproductive justice, including African immigrant and Afro Latin groups;
and to enhance community organizing on Black maternal health via
community conversations, events, and outreach; and

WHEREAS, The United States spends more on health care than any other
country, it has among the worst disparities in maternal health outcomes,
and is on the opposite track for improving maternal health with its
mortality rates increasing between 1990 and 2013; and

WHEREAS, Maternal Health challenges are clearly linked to
disparities in women's access to high quality health care, social
determinants of health such as poverty and racism, and other needed
resources before, during, and after pregnancy that have a cumulative
impact on women's bodies; and

WHEREAS, These disparities and challenges particularly affect Black
women who are up to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related
causes, and more than twice as likely to experience severe maternal
morbidity compared to white women; and

WHEREAS, Black women experienced 40.4 deaths per 100,000 live
births, compared to 12.1 deaths per 100,000 lives for white women; and

WHEREAS, These deaths have devastating effects on Black women's
children and families, and the vast majority is entirely preventable
through assertive efforts to ensure Black women can access information,
services, and supports to make their own health care decision
particularly around pregnancy and childbearing; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater equitable access to
prevention, early identification, and effective treatment services that
are delivered in appropriate care setting to improve Black women's
chronic health conditions and maternal health; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 11-17, 2023, as
Black Maternal Health Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.