House Concurrent Resolution No. by Representative Carpenter designates April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week in Louisiana. This resolution highlights the significant disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly for black women, who face a much higher risk of preventable maternal deaths compared to their white counterparts. In Louisiana, the maternal mortality rate is the highest in the nation, with black mothers being four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. The resolution emphasizes the need to address systemic issues such as implicit bias, socioeconomic factors, and access to quality healthcare to improve outcomes for all women during pregnancy and childbirth.

The resolution calls for increased awareness and support for initiatives aimed at enhancing maternal healthcare, particularly for black mothers. It recognizes the importance of healthcare providers in identifying and treating maternal complications and advocates for the expansion of services like telehealth, midwives, and doulas to promote healthier pregnancies. Black Maternal Health Week, observed annually as part of National Minority Health Month, aims to raise awareness and foster community engagement around these critical issues, with organizations like Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. leading efforts to highlight the challenges faced by black women in maternal health.