The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) is observing Black Maternal Health Week from April 11–17.
A recent CDC report highlights that the maternal mortality rate for Black patients in 2021 was 2.6 times the rate for white patients. Black Maternal Health Week was established in 2021 to build awareness and advocacy around health inequities that Black birthing people face in the United States.
CMS OMH shared recent work and resources focused on promoting Black maternal health and advancing equity, including:
- A Maternity Care Action Plan, which outlines the agency’s work to close five key gaps in maternity care, including coverage and access to care and quality of care.
- A recorded December 2022 CMS convening on Advancing Maternal Health Care, highlighting discussions on how the federal government and industry partners can collaborate to improve health outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum.
- A patient resource detailing Women’s Preventative Services available at no cost under most health coverage.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
