Ohio Recognition of Black Maternal Health Week Passes Ohio House, Thanks to White's Legislation

COLUMBUS – Thanks to the effort of State Representatives Andrea White (R-Kettering), the Ohio House has voted in favor of legislation that will officially recognize Black Maternal Health Week in April of each year. 

The week will be celebrated April 11-17 each year and will raise awareness of the maternal, pregnancy and infant care of black babies and mothers. 

“Ohio has some of the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the country,” said White. “Black mothers are two and a half times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than other moms and black babies are more than three times more likely to die before their first birthday.  We need to raise awareness and find solutions to address this serious issue.  We owe it to our mothers and infants to give them the best chance at life.”

Ohio has the 41st worst infant mortality rate in the country, with one in 150 infants not living to the age of one. Only 25% of pregnant mothers have access to prenatal care in their first trimester and more than half of all infants and toddlers live below the federal poverty line.  

Nationally, black babies have an infant mortality rate of 10.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to the U.S. average of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 births. Black mothers are three times more likely to die during birth.

The legislation will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.