BUFFALO N.Y. (WKBW) — This week is Black Maternal Week. And groups here in Western New York, like Melinated Moms, are pushing to get the voices of Black mothers heard when it comes to leveling the health care playing field.
Resources:
- Melinated Moms
- Durham' Prenatal Stress Free Zone
- Buffalo Prenatal Parenting Network
- Pregnancy/Childbirth Support groups
According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to have a pregnancy related death compared to white women.
In 2021, the agency reported 69.9 deaths happen for every 100,000 live births for brown women.
Alexia Harrod, vice president of Melinated Moms, said between systematic racism, lack of resource and finances Black moms are struggling.
"So if a women comes in and says hey I'm in pain or something is going wrong they sort of just chock it up to 'Oh well she can deal with it its fine.' Or just how people view black and brown women," said Harrod.
Harrod said this week is important and the efforts must go beyond just one week. Melinated moms is pairing will other organizations to host events all week long.
