SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield officials will be joining together on Thursday for a special Black Maternal Health Week celebration.
According to the CDC, Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from April 11-17 to bring attention and action to improving Black maternal health, as Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. These disparities exist because of structural racism, variation in quality healthcare, chronic medical conditions, and implicit bias, which makes it harder for people of color to have fair opportunities for their economic, social, and emotional health.
On Thursday, there will be a celebration at Springfield City Hall to educate the community and bring awareness to the health of black moms and the support needed to end disparities. Mayor Domenic Sarno, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, and Mayoral Aide Shenell Ford will join together at the celebration, which begins at 10:30 a.m.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank my Mayoral Aide Shenell Ford, who is also the Founder and Owner of Heart to Heartbeat Lactation and Wellness, for helping to coordinate this awareness celebration for Black maternal health, as part of Public Health Month. Shenell has been working and advocating in this space for many years and I am proud to continue to support her efforts. It truly takes a village to help raise a family and events such as this help to empower, educate, and increase awareness to enhance the public health of all our residents, especially for the mothers and soon-to-be moms out there, of the many programs and initiatives that can provide much-needed support.”
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