Bill Text: MI HR0301 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to declare April 11-17, 2018, as Black Maternal Health Week in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-04-11 - Adopted [HR0301 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-HR0301-Enrolled.html
Substitute for House Resolution No. 301.
A resolution to declare April 11-17, 2018, as Black Maternal Health Week in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control, black mothers in the U.S. die at three to four times the rate of white mothers, and
Whereas, The 2011-2013 CDC data for pregnancy-related death, there were 12.7 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women, 43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births for black women, and 14.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for women of other races, and
Whereas, Black maternal death is one of the widest of all racial disparities in women's health; and
Whereas, Black women are 22 percent more likely to die from heart disease than white women, 71 percent more likely to die from cervical cancer, but 243 percent more likely to die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related causes; and
Whereas, According to the National Institutes of Health, when compared with white women with the conditions of for preeclampsia, eclampsia, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, and postpartum hemorrhage, which are common causes of maternal death and injury, black women were two to three times more likely to die than white women who had the same condition; and
Whereas, In the state of Michigan, according to the Michigan Maternal Mortality Surveillance Project, between 1999 to 2010 black women experienced a pregnancy-related mortality rate of 50.8 per 100,000 live births compared to 16.6 per 100,000 live births for white women; and
Whereas, The U.S. ranks 64th in the world for maternal death and Michigan ranks 8th in the nation for maternal death, Michigan is 3rd overall in the U.S. for its high rate of maternal death of black women; and
Whereas, These alarming statistics for black maternal health cut across socio-economic status, maternal age, and education levels; and
Whereas, The Michigan Legislature recognizes the necessity for the increased attention to the state of Black maternal health in the state of Michigan, studying and understanding the root causes of poor maternal health outcomes, and supporting community-driven programs, care solutions, improving prenatal care and overall maternal healthcare, improving breastfeeding rates and nutrition, and amplifying the voices of Black mothers, women, families and stakeholders including black women from across the diaspora and Afro-Latinx groups; and
Whereas, The Michigan Legislature recognizes the necessity to end maternal mortality globally to amplify the need for maternal health and rights; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare April 11-17, 2018, as Black Maternal Health Week in the state of Michigan.
