Booker, Menendez Reintroduce Resolution Recognizing Maternal Health Awareness Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) reintroduced a resolution recognizing January 23 as Maternal Health Awareness Day. As the resolution notes, more than 60 percent of maternal deaths in the United States are preventable, with disproportionate negative outcomes observed among Black, Brown, and Indigenous birthing people. The resolution also highlights that pregnant people with symptomatic COVID-19 are at an increased risk of experiencing severe outcomes compared to nonpregnant people with symptomatic COVID-19.

“As data and numerous studies have shown, the United States has a maternal mortality crisis that is disproportionately impacting those living in rural communities and Black, Brown, and Indigenous people who give birth,” said Sen. Booker. “These stark disparities and growing public health crisis demand our urgent attention. We have a responsibility to act and ensure that all people who give birth are afforded the quality care they need throughout pregnancy.”

“I’m proud to continue my work with Senator Booker to ensure our nation prioritizes maternal health and works to reduce maternal mortality,” said Sen. Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy. “I’ll continue advocating for greater funding to ensure people of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds have access to affordable, quality health care that they need during and after pregnancy.”

New Jersey was the first state to recognize Maternal Health Awareness Day in 2018. Since that time, state, advocacy, and community-based organizations across the nation have used this date to raise awareness about maternal health, educate health care providers about maternal deaths, and encourage women, families and providers to recognize and discuss potential signs of an emergency.

Full text of the resolution can be found here.