Women’s Health

Every April, Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) serves as a powerful call to action, highlighting the urgent need to address disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women. Black Maternal Health Week is more than a week of awareness - it is a movement advocating for justice, equity, and dignity in maternal care.

Black women in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of maternal health complications in the pregnancy and postpartum period including increased risks for conditions such as:

• Preeclampsia
• Hemorrhage
• Cardiovascular issues

These challenges are compounded by health-related social needs, such as limited access to quality healthcare, income and education disparities, and racial biases, which often result in inadequate care during this critical time.

The effects extend beyond maternal health, as Black infants are also at a higher risk for adverse outcomes, including:

• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Infant mortality

These disparities highlight the urgent need to address healthcare inequalities to improve both maternal and infant outcomes.

A Collaborative Approach to Maternal Health

At the Caribbean Women’s Health Association (CWHA), we are committed to improving maternal health outcomes. Our focus is on holistic, culturally responsive care.

Through our Maternal and Infant Health Support Program, we provide:

• Essential prenatal and postnatal education
• Lactation support
• Doula services
• Connections to social services

We recognize that meaningful change requires collaborative solutions, and that is why CWHA is proud to partner with Fidelis Care in our shared mission to support Black maternal health. This partnership, supported by a Fidelis Care maternal health grant, strengthens our ability to:

• Expand maternal health outreach and education to ensure expectant and new mothers have the information they need for a healthy pregnancy and postpartum experience.
• Increase access to quality healthcare services and insurance resources, reducing barriers that often prevent Black women from receiving timely and comprehensive care.
• Host community workshops, health screenings, and informational sessions that empower mothers with knowledge and support.

Moving from Awareness to Action

As we observe Black Maternal Health Week, we reaffirm our commitment to collaborative action that improves maternal health outcomes. The partnership between CWHA and Fidelis Care represents a step forward in ensuring that Black mothers receive the respectful, equitable, and high-quality care they deserve.

We invite our partners, community stakeholders, and healthcare providers to join us in this mission. By working together, we can build a future where every mother, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, can birth safely and thrive.

Thank you to Fidelis Care for its dedication to maternal health equity. Together, we are making a lasting impact.

Cheryl Hall serves as Executive Director of the Caribbean Women’s Health Association (CWHA), an organization dedicated to enhancing maternal health through a range of services, including parenting support, breastfeeding education, safe sleep practices, and the coordination of doula services across New York City. A passionate advocate for improving birth outcomes, Hall works tirelessly to support women in Brooklyn and beyond. Under her leadership, CWHA also provides vital immigration legal services and HIV testing, counseling, and education, furthering its commitment to empowering women and families.