[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2456-H2457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Mrs. Sykes) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, for women looking to start or grow their 
families, motherhood should be one of the greatest, most joyful times 
in their lives. For far too many Black women in Ohio's 13th 
Congressional District and across this country, this experience is 
often overshadowed by trauma, heartache, and loss.
  It is no secret that Ohio, my home State, has one of the highest 
Black maternal death rates in the entire Nation, with Black women two 
to three times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy or 
birth-related causes.
  We rightfully talk about the social determinants of health that Black 
women face in accessing quality, affordable prenatal and postnatal 
healthcare in our communities, which contributes to these completely 
unacceptable maternal mortality rates.
  Today, I would like to focus our attention on another contributing 
factor to Black maternal mortality that is often overlooked: intimate 
partner violence. Homicide is the leading cause of death among pregnant 
women in the United States. It is higher than the three leading health 
causes of maternal mortality, those being hypertension, hemorrhaging, 
and sepsis.
  Addressing the violence that plagues women during pregnancy and 
shortly thereafter is why I introduced the Safer Homes and Families 
Act. This comprehensive legislative package would provide vital support 
to keep moms and families safe, including prohibiting the use of 
electronic devices for stalking, providing training for healthcare 
providers to better identify and treat individuals experiencing abuse, 
and allowing survivors to break a lease without adverse costs.
  Statistics have indicated that nearly 20 percent of women experience 
violence during their pregnancies, and for one in six women, abuse 
first begins during their pregnancy. This violence substantially 
increases the likelihood

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for pregnancy-related complications that not only endanger the life of 
the woman but also that of her unborn baby.
  While members of the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus are 
working tirelessly to highlight and address the ongoing epidemic of 
Black maternal health, it is clear there is more work that needs to be 
done. Even to this day, we are still trying to convince colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle and in both Chambers how important it is that 
we care for women and care for mothers.
  This is not a partisan issue. It is a human issue. Our Black mothers 
and babies in every district across the country deserve to live long, 
healthy, and happy lives.
  I am confident that regardless of our political party, we can work 
together to improve health outcomes and deliver on the promise of 
better health, healthier lives, and brighter futures for all of us.
  I call on my colleagues to join us in the fight to keep our moms and 
babies safe. Our mothers and babies simply cannot wait any longer.
  Finally, I would like to recognize the many local organizations in 
Ohio's 13th Congressional District that are working each and every day 
to improve the health of Black moms and babies in our community. 
Organizations like Stark County THRIVE, Full Term First Birthday, 
Project Ujima, and the Minority Behavioral Health Group are all 
committed to improving maternal health outcomes and promoting equity in 
Ohio's 13th District.
  Improving maternal health requires action and collaboration at every 
level, and I am extremely proud and grateful to these organizations for 
the work they are doing.
  This Black Maternal Health Week and beyond, I am committed to 
improving healthcare access to all and giving women and families the 
tools they need to live healthy, happier lives in Ohio's 13th 
Congressional District and beyond.

                          ____________________