Black Maternal Health is a crucial issue that is recognized each year from April 11th – 17th. This week coincides with National Minority Health Month and is led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, which aims to raise community awareness and activism while amplifying the voices and experiences of Black mothers and birthing people.
As part of this year’s celebration, the Worcester Division of Public Health, in partnership with UMASS, UHAI for Health, and Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants (MOAD), will be hosting a conference on April 16, 2024, at Worcester City Hall. The event will take place in Levi Lincoln Hall on the 3rd floor from 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
The conference will feature speakers and a panel of local experts who will discuss the urgent issues surrounding Black Maternal Health in Worcester. This event provides an opportunity for community members to come together, learn, and engage in meaningful conversations about how to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women in the city.
Attendees can expect to hear from experts on topics such as disparities in maternal health outcomes among Black women, barriers to accessing quality healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth, strategies for improving maternal health education within communities, and ways to address systemic racism that impacts maternal health outcomes.
The conference will also provide an opportunity for attendees to connect with local organizations that provide support services for pregnant women and new mothers in Worcester. These organizations include Worcester Birth Collective, YWCA Central Massachusetts Community Center for Women & Children’s Health Services, and Women’s Support Network (WSN).
Overall, this conference aims to raise awareness about the urgent need to address disparities in maternal health outcomes among Black women in Worcester. By bringing together experts, community members, and support organizations, this event hopes to inspire action towards improving maternal health outcomes for all women in the city.
