The best science, stories, and strategies related to this month’s national health themes. Check back throughout the month for new additions.
Black Maternal Health Week
In the U.S., Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. The CDC notes that more than 80% of pregnancy related deaths are preventable.
- Action Alert! April 11 – April 17 is Black Maternal Health Week – The Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) has announced 2024’s theme: “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!,” which highlights the intersection between recent abortion restrictions and adverse maternal health outcomes. Learn more and how to observe on their website.
- Birth Plan Advice for Black Mothers to Be – This woman shares her story in detail. The New York Times compiled a “protecting your birth” guide for Black mothers. One Black mother and author shares 10 tips and resources that helped her get through birth.
- Black Mothers and Daughters Share Best Advice They Were Given – About love, life, health, and more, from Refinery29.
- Issue Primer: Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health – If you’re looking for an introductory overview of the problem, statistics, and current policy interventions in the works, this KFF article is a must-read.
- Organizations that Support Black Moms & Their Families – These organizations train culturally competent birth workers, provide comprehensive maternal care, facilitate parent support groups, and more.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- Lawmakers working to address Black maternal health in 2024.
- Digital tools can address maternal health inequities, but gaps in design remain
- To close racial gap in maternal health, some states take aim at implicit bias
- Over $100 Million in Funding for Maternal Health Signed Into Law
- Community Conversations: Shining a Light on Black Maternal Mental Health
- Poll: More Than Half of Black Birthers in Minnesota Feel Racial Bias and Lack of Access Leads to Greater Health Risks and Maternal Mortality
- For Black women, giving birth carries a high risk of death. Advocates are spending a week raising awareness and looking for solutions from Harrisburg
- Groundbreaking Initiative Launched to Address Maternal Mental Health Crisis in the Black Community
- Here’s What The Biden-Harris Administration Is Doing To Combat The Black Maternal Health Crisis
- A lawmaker proposed a bill that would ban DEI in medical schools. Doctors say it could roll back progress toward improving Black maternal health.
- Can Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Solve the Black Maternal Health Crisis?
- House Passes Legislation to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Address Disparity of Care for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
- Black Maternal Health Week highlights disparities in care for pregnant women of color
- Black Maternal Health Week brings awareness to critical pregnancy concerns
- Association of Black Cardiologists’ “We Are The Faces” Campaign Unveils New Videos for Black Maternal Health Week
- High neighborhood eviction rate may harm Black moms’ mental health
- American Heart Association and Go Red for Women Raise Awareness on Black Maternal Health
- Too Often, Postpartum Depression Goes Untreated in Black, Hispanic Women
- Black Maternal Health Week shines light on alarming disparities, as CDC reports rising death rates
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month
According to CDC data from 2022 (the most recent data available), STI cases continue to rise in the U.S. In 2022, more than 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia were reported in the United States – that’s an 80% increase in syphilis over five years.
- Action Alert! April is STI Awareness Month – Learn how you can help spread the word about STIs and protect yourself and your community from the CDC.
- STIs 101 – Learn about the different types of STIs, risks, symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
- The Latest STI Statistics – Review the latest STI surveillance report, including information by state, and explore nationally vetted resources.
- STI Resources for Teens – Youth Tech Health has put togeter a list of STI resources geared towards young people.
- Organization Spotlight: Sex Ed with DB – A feminist podcast bringing you all the sex ed you never got through unique and entertaining storytelling, centering LGBTQ+ and BIPOC experts.
- Study: Why Adolescents Have Unprotected Sex – Although research suggests that young people are more likely to have unprotected sex than adults, their reasons for doing so are not well-understood. This study sheds light on why.
- Why STIs are on the Rise in Older Adults – STIs are on the rise amongst all age groups – age is NOT a condom!
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- At-home STI tests are everywhere right now. How well do they work?
- Huge rise in STIs among women.
- This April, STI Awareness Matters More Than Ever | Opinion
- Can You Get STD (STI) Tested on Your Period?
- Spotlight on Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis
- Dating someone new? Here’s how to ask them about their STI status
- Resources for STI Awareness Week: April 14-20, 2024
Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month (SAAPM)
According to the CDC, over half of women will experience violence involving sexual contact in their lifetimes. And women in marginalized groups experience a higher burden of sexual violence.
- Action Alert! April is Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month – April 2024 marks the official 23rd anniversary of NSVRC’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month — but did you know we can trace its history even longer? Learn the history of SAAPM and how to observe here.
- Sexual Assault FAQs – What is sexual assault? How is it different than rape? Who are the perpetrators of sexual assault? Learn the answers over at RAINN.
- Sexual Assault Statistics in 2024 – Get the latest data on prevalence, perpetrators, and prevention.
- Resources for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Their Loved Ones – Get help and learn about your rights and options from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC).
- National Sexual Assault Hotline – Get confidential, 24/7 support.
- Sexual Assault Prevention Resources – In the sexual violence field, we use the term “primary prevention,” which means stopping sexual violence before it even has a chance to happen. Primary prevention challenges out-of-date and victim-blaming attitudes that place the onus on potential victims to protect themselves and frames sexual violence as a public health issue. Learn more from the NSVRC.
- Sexual Assault Survivor Stories – From RAINN, a college campus.
Minority Health Month
As the FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) kicks off National Minority Health Month (NMHM), we invite you to join our ongoing efforts this month to advance health equity and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic minority and other diverse populations.
- Action Alert! April is National Minority Health Month – This year’s theme, Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections, highlights the important role of diverse communities, organizations, and individuals in organizations in achieving the OMHHE mission.
- Key Data on Health and Health Care by Race and Ethnicity – Statistics to help shed light on the importance of prioritizing minority health.
- 6 Examples of Health Disparities and Potential Solutions – If you’re looking for concrete examples to help guide your thinking and action, this is a must-read.
- Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health Care: What are the Options? – This brief examines four broad policy areas for addressing racial and ethnic health care disparities.
- Strategies to Increase Clinical Trial Participation for Diverse Communities – We can’t fix what we don’t understand, and since women and minority participation in clinical trials for new drugs and medical devices are so low, we often don’t understand how these interventions will effect these populations. Learn more during this webinar sponsored by the FDA.
- Minority Health Stories – Learn from Michelle, Margot, Whitley, and Brenda.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- Alzheimer’s Association raising awareness about minority health disparities.
- Guiding Principles Help healthcare Community Address Potential Bias Resulting from Algorithms
- National Minority Health Month 2024 Take Action
- National Minority Health Month 2024
- Your ethnicity is a strong determinant of whether you survive childbirth