TRENTON, NJ – This week is Black Maternal Health Week and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy gave pause to recognize the racial disparity in maternal health care between blacks and whites in the Garden State. Murphy said he is committed to ending the systemic racism inherent within the U.S. that prohibits black American women from receiving proper healthcare services for themselves and their unborn children.
“This week marks Black Maternal Health Week. And with that, I want to salute all the hard work being undertaken by First Lady Tammy Murphy, in partnership with our state departmental leaders, hospital and health care leaders, and community leaders, and advocates among so many others,” Murphy said. “Their goal and our goal is nothing less than eradicating racial disparities in maternal health and making New Jersey the safest state in America, to have a baby, and to raise a child. So, to all, we recognize all that you’re doing and remain committed to working alongside of each of you.”
The effort is lead by “Black Mammas Matter”.
This year marks the organization’s fourth annual national Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) campaign, founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, will be a week of awareness, activism, and community building intended to:
- Deepen the national 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 national platform for Black-led entities and efforts on maternal health, birth and reproductive justice; and
- Enhance community organizing on Black maternal health.
“The month of April is recognized in the United States as National Minority Health Month – a month-long initiative to advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities,” Black Mamas Matters Alliance said. “Additionally, we are joining dozens of global organizations who are fighting to end maternal mortality globally in advocating that the United Nations recognize April 11th as the International Day for Maternal Health and Rights.”