Recognizing the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as “National Postpartum Awareness Week for Communities of Color”.

Recognizing the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as “National Postpartum Awareness Week for Communities of Color”.

Whereas studies from the Commonwealth Fund and data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicate that women in the United States have the highest rate of maternal mortality related to complications of pregnancy and childbirth of any high-income nation, with the United States maternal death rate more than double the rate in most other high-income countries studied;

Whereas, according to the most recent data from the CDC, Black women and American Native or Alaskan women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women, reflecting that communities of color experience disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity;

Whereas, according to the CDC, more than two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths take place during the postpartum period;

Whereas the CDC defines pregnancy-related deaths as a death during pregnancy or within one year of the end of pregnancy from a pregnancy complication, a chain of events initiated by pregnancy, or the aggravation of an unrelated condition by the physiologic effects of pregnancy;

Whereas, according to the CDC, 86 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable through timely recognition and diagnosis of urgent maternal warning signs, and equitable access to quality care;

Whereas the CDC has established the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System in recognition that better information about causes of pregnancy-related deaths and risk factors associated with these deaths can help clinicians and public health professionals to better understand the national trends and clinical causes of pregnancy-related deaths to inform actions to prevent them;

Whereas the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported that 1 in 5 pregnant patients overall, and 1 in 3 Black, Hispanic, and multiracial mothers, experience mistreatment and/or discrimination during maternity care, most commonly in the form of a health care provider not responding to or refusing their request for help;

Whereas the postpartum period represents a critical time in the health and well-being of mothers, pregnant people, and their families;

Whereas research shows Black women are twice as likely as White women to experience maternal mental health conditions;

Whereas research shows that Black women living in smaller cities, towns, and rural communities face nearly 80 percent greater odds of risk for postpartum depression compared to their White counterparts;

Whereas racial, social, and economic barriers often prevent communities of color from accessing adequate postpartum care and support services;

Whereas increasing awareness of postpartum health disparities and supporting respectful, culturally competent care are essential steps toward achieving maternal health equity;

Whereas community-based organizations, health care providers, and advocacy groups work tirelessly to raise awareness and amplify the needs and voices of communities of color during their pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum journey; and

Whereas education about postpartum warning signs, mental health support, and available resources can save lives and improve outcomes for mothers, pregnant people, and families: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes “National Postpartum Awareness Week for Communities of Color”;

(2) recognizes the unique challenges faced by women and pregnant people of color during the postpartum period;

(3) supports efforts to combat institutional racism and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes;

(4) disseminates information on and promote access to respectful and culturally appropriate postpartum care and mental health services;

(5) advocates for policies that address systemic barriers to equitable maternal health care; and

(6) celebrates and supports organizations working to provide awareness on how communities of color can best navigate the very real dangers they face to improve postpartum health outcomes.