UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2430
Page 1 of 2
XXXX 3/5/2024 11:30 AM Jacketed
A RESOLUTION recognizing April 11 to 17, 2024, as Black Maternal Health 1
Week in Kentucky. 2
WHEREAS, the maternal mortality rate is defined as the number of women who die 3
during pregnancy, child delivery, or within 42 days of giving birth from a cause related to 4
pregnancy; and 5
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2021 6
the maternal mortality rate for all women was 32.9 per 100,000 births, 69.9 per 100,000 7
births for Black women, and 26.6 per 100,000 births for white women; and 8
WHEREAS, risk factors for maternal mortality include depression, obesity, tobacco 9
or substance abuse, and other social measures such as limited access to transportation or 10
health care services; and 11
WHEREAS, more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related complications are 12
preventable, and Black women make up more than 31 percent of women with pregnancy-13
related complications; and 14
WHEREAS, in 2021 the maternal mortality rate for all women in Kentucky was 15
38.4 per 100,000 births. While 2021 rates by race are not available for Kentucky, in 2018 16
the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 40.2 per 100,000 births, three times 17
higher than the maternal mortality rate of 13 per 100,000 births for white women; and 18
WHEREAS, the Black Mamas Matter Alliance is dedicated to raising awareness, 19
inspiring activism, and building community support for the policies and issues 20
surrounding the health and rights of Black mothers and their families; and 21
WHEREAS, April is National Minority Health Month and April 11, 2024, is the 22
International Day for Maternal Health and Rights; 23
NOW, THEREFORE, 24
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 25
Kentucky: 26
Section 1. The members of the Senate hereby recognize April 11 to 17, 2024, as 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2430
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 3/5/2024 11:30 AM Jacketed
Black Maternal Health Week in Kentucky in order to promote awareness of and advocate 1
for eliminating the high rates of Black maternal mortality. 2
Section 2. The clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 3
Resolution to Senator Gerald Neal. 4