April is Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice Month

Ongoing structural racism results in worse maternal health outcomes for Black birthing people. As Canada is lagging in race-based data, we rely on US race data to understand health disparities. Black women are approximately three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, and high-income Black women are just as likely to die in the first year postpartum as the poorest White women. Racism and chronic stress lead to poorer maternal and infant health, resulting in higher rates of perinatal depression, preterm births and mortality among Black women and infants.

Empowering Black reproductive health-care workers and creating opportunities for leadership is essential to providing culturally concordant care that can improve health outcomes. Midwives are encouraged to contribute to dismantling systemic racism including in midwifery, and apply a racial justice lens so the Black women and pregnant people receive care that is dignified, affirming, equitable and free from harm.

Get involved

The Black Maternal Health Collective is hosting the Toronto Black Maternal Health Week (TBMHW) initiative from April 11 to April 17, 2025, bringing together health-care professionals, community organizations and advocates to raise awareness, provide education and promote equitable access to quality maternal health care.

Explore the TBMHW events featuring expert-led seminars, interactive workshops and community discussions, all focused on addressing the physical, emotional and mental well-being of Black women and birthing people during pregnancy and postpartum.

The Community Baby Shower on April 12, 2025, held by Ancestral Hands Midwives, which was founded by midwife and AOM Board President, Althea Jones, will feature a panel discussion on Black excellence in midwifery and maternal mental health and provides an opportunity for community building with midwives, other health-care professionals and parents.

Learn about AOM's racial justice commitments in action, explore the racial equity toolkit, and get involved!