WHO: Councilwoman Aditi Bussells, Councilwoman Tina Herbert and Rhonda Sims, Founder of the Black Mental Health Collective. Representatives from partner agencies will also be present.
WHAT: The City of Columbia is hosting a press conference to kick-off the City’s first Black Maternal Health Week. Columbia’s Black Maternal Health Week, based on the Black Mama’s Matter Initiative, is a week of awareness, activism and community-building with the goal of deepening the statewide conversation about Black maternal health in the US; Amplify community-driven policy, research, and care solutions; Center the voices of Black Mamas, women, families, and stakeholders; provide a platform for Black-led entities and efforts on maternal health, birth and reproductive justice;
Councilwoman Bussells will be announcing the city’s signature event, a health and resource fair, which will held on April 6 at the Drew Wellness Center. Speakers will announce plans for a full week of educational forms and other activities to bring awareness to Black Maternal Health Week.
Black Maternal Health Facts:
In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for non-Hispanic White women (Source: CDC).
In South Carolina, the maternal mortality rate increased by nearly 10% from 2018 to 2019, according to the latest data, which found that the risk of pregnancy-related death for Black mothers was 67% higher than for white mothers. Upon review, the state health department determined 80% of those pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. (Source: SCDHEC)
WHEN: Thursday, April 4 at 11am
WHERE: City Hall, Council Chambers, 1737 Main St.