The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Gov. Whitmer Proclaims April 11-17 as Black Maternal Health Week
April 14, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2023
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Gov. Whitmer Proclaims April 11-17 as Black Maternal Health Week
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed April 11-17 Black Maternal Health Week in Michigan to honor the prenatal through postpartum experiences of Black mothers.
Annually, April 11 – 17 is recognized nationally as Black Maternal Health Week, founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, which amplifies the voices of Black Mamas and centers the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements.
Black mothers are 2.8 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts. While Michigan prioritizes maternal health, the state also recognizes the social and structural barriers that contribute to the high maternal mortality and morbidity rates for Black mothers. Michigan is addressing the root causes of Black maternal morbidity and mortality through systemic change, social justice work, mental health, breastfeeding and doula care support, along with access to equitable health services and programs.
Whitmer Administration Actions to Protect Mothers
Governor Whitmer proposed the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies initiative in her 2020 State of the State address. The governor has since signed multiple budgets funding the program which aims to reduce the disproportionate racial impacts of maternal and infant mortality and ensure moms have the support they need for healthy pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum care. In January, Governor Whitmer announced that Michigan became one of the first states to support expecting mothers by covering doula services, an addition to Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies. This followed Michigan expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage to a full 12 months in 2022. In her 2024 budget recommendation, Governor Whitmer proposed funding for additional Medicaid health access and equity to improve enrollee access to services. She also proposed continued funding for Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies and $58 million to implement recommendations from the Racial Disparities Task Force, including neighborhood health grants, mobile health units, sickle cell support and more.
###
Author: