VICTORVILLE — As the local March for Babies High Desert event nears, the March of Dimes has announced its support of the second annual Black Maternal Health Week, with local events planned to “celebrate black mamas.”
Created by the Black Mamas Alliance, the week-long campaign that begins Thursday is designed to bring awareness to the plight of black maternal health and mortality.
In California, as in many states, maternal and infant health disparities between the African American community and other communities are significant, the March of Dimes said.
The preterm birth rate for black women in California is 44 percent higher than the rate among all other women and 55 percent higher than white women. Women of color are most at risk of facing pregnancy complications, and black women are more than three times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes.
The March of Dimes is leading the fight for the health of all moms and babies. Through advocacy, education, research and collaborative initiatives locally and nationally, the organization is working to address the health equity gap for moms and babies of color.
During Black Maternal Health Week, the March of Dimes will host and co-sponsor events in Fresno, Victorville and Los Angeles to celebrate, empower and uplift black mothers.
A “Black Mommies Matter Baby Shower” is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 at Burning Bush Church in Victorville. The baby shower is designed for pregnant black women and mommies who have a baby under six months old. Mothers are welcome to bring one adult guest and their children under 5 years old.
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