COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH)

The City of Columbia, in collaboration with the Black Maternal Health Collective, recently announced a series of events for the inaugural Black Maternal Health Week. This initiative, aligned with the Black Mama's Matter Initiative, aims to raise awareness, promote activism, and foster community-building regarding Black maternal health issues in the United States.

One of the key events scheduled for Sunday, April 7, is "Yoga In the Park with Balloon Release." The session will take place at MLK Park, 2300 Greene Street, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Led by an instructor, this yoga session is dedicated to mothers and families impacted by losses due to maternal health inequities. It offers a peaceful environment for reflection and remembrance. Additionally, the event will feature a Balloon Release to honor those who have experienced loss and to foster community connections and mutual support.

At a press conference, officials highlighted the week's objectives, which include sparking conversations about Black maternal health, amplifying community-driven solutions, centering the voices of Black mothers and families, and providing a platform for Black-led efforts on maternal health and reproductive justice.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals concerning statistics about Black maternal health in the U.S. In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women stood at 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is 2.6 times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic White women. Moreover, Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. Alarmingly, CDC reports that over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

The Black Maternal Health Week events aim to shed light on these disparities and mobilize efforts towards improving maternal health outcomes for Black mothers and families.

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Columbia initiates Black Maternal Health Week with yoga in park - WACH.com