This session discusses the integral role of Black Maternal Health in achieving gender and racial equity, examining Nebraska as a case study to create lasting change.

Black women and birthing folks in the United States experience unacceptably poor maternal health outcomes, including disproportionately high rates of death related to pregnancy or childbirth. Black women younger than 30 are 2-3x more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women.

Session leaders will discuss the crucial need for a comprehensive approach to improve Black women’s maternal health that addresses health across their lifespan, improves access to and the delivery of quality care, provides greater economic security, and that continually advocates at the policy and system level for lasting change.

This interactive session will highlight what is happening not only nationally, but locally in Nebraska as a case study surrounding the health of Black women and folks with a reproductive system getting pregnant, experience during pregnancy and birth, and after birth.