Reps. Adams and McEachin Introduce Resolution Urging Federal Action on Black Maternal Mortality Health Crisis

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) joined Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) yesterday in introducing a resolution recognizing the maternal mortality health crisis affecting communities in North Carolina and across the nation. The resolution urging federal action to lower maternal mortality and morbidity rates and mitigate stark race-based disparities in maternal health outcomes is co-sponsored by Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Jennifer Wexton (VA-10).

"The maternal mortality and morbidity epidemic in the African American community is at crisis levels," said Congresswoman Adams. "Even in my personal experience, I've seen how our health system is failing Black mothers and their children. Racial disparities in maternal health have not improved in over three decades, and regardless of educational attainment and income, Black women and their children remain at higher risk. Too many lives are being lost, so we must continue to demand federal action on and attention to this crisis."

"As a father to two young women, Virginia's black maternal health crisis is personal – I am standing not just with the black women across the state who are already committed to this important work, but with my children and future generations," remarked lead sponsor Congressman McEachin.

For this year's State of the Union address, Congresswoman Adams hosted Dr. Pam Oliver to highlight women's health care and America's black maternal health crisis. Dr. Oliver is executive vice president and president of Novant Health Physician Network and a board-certified ob-gyn. She also serves as Chair of Forsyth County's Infant Mortality Reduction Coalition, and is passionate about reproductive health justice and addressing racial disparities in health outcomes.

Congresswoman Adams is a mother and grandmother, and last April she launched the Black Maternal Health Caucus with Rep. Lauren Underwood to raise awareness within Congress to establish Black maternal health as a national priority, and explore and advocate for effective, evidence-based, culturally-competent policies and best practices for health outcomes for Black mothers. The Black Maternal Health Caucus aims to ensure that Black women and infants have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.

The United States has the worst maternal health outcomes in the developed world, at 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate is alarmingly higher among black women, at 37.1 deaths per 100,000 live births. Black women are nearly three times more likely than white women – and more than twice as likely as women of other races – to die from preventable, pregnancy-related complications. Additionally, Black women are twice as likely to lose an infant to premature death. The disparities in America's health system have not improved for more than 30 years.

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