County Executive Steuart L. Pittman has officially proclaimed April 11–17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week in Anne Arundel County. This proclamation serves as a call to action to address the systemic disparities in maternal healthcare and to champion reproductive justice for Black women and birthing people in our community.
"Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to bring awareness to the deaths of Black women who have lost their lives to pregnancy-related complications and to amplify the voices of Black mothers, women, and their families," the proclamation states.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are preventable. Despite this, Black women and birthing people remain over three times more likely than white birthing people to die from pregnancy-related causes. These disparities are not just national statistics; they are felt deeply within our own community. In Anne Arundel County, Black birthing people return to the hospital for postpartum issues two times more often than white birthing people. These outcomes persist regardless of income, education, or socioeconomic status, highlighting the urgent need to address behavioral health and access to quality care.
Our Commitment to Change
Black Maternal Health Week is a dedicated time to:
- Amplify the voices of Black women and birthing people.
- Raise awareness regarding the preventable loss of life during and after pregnancy.
- Foster positive change in healthcare delivery and reproductive justice.
Executive Proclamation
On behalf of the Residents of Anne Arundel County, Maryland
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are preventable; and
WHEREAS, Black women and birthing people in the United States are more than three times as likely as white birthing people to die from pregnancy-related causes; and
WHEREAS, Black women and birthing people in Anne Arundel County return to a hospital for postpartum issues two times more often than white birthing people; and
WHEREAS, the high rates of maternal mortality among Black women and birthing people span across income levels, education levels, socioeconomic status, access to health care, and behavioral health; and
WHEREAS, Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to bring awareness to the deaths of Black women who have lost their lives to pregnancy related complications and to amplify the voices of Black mothers, women, and their families in order to address maternal health, birth, and reproductive justice.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Steuart L. Pittman, County Executive of Anne Arundel County, do hereby proclaim April 11-17, 2026 as Black Maternal Health Week in Anne Arundel County and commend all efforts to raise awareness and foster positive change.