Melanie Stansbury: “This week we are closing out Black Maternal Health Week, focused on bringing attention, awareness, and, most…”

“This week we are closing out Black Maternal Health Week, focused on bringing attention, awareness, and, most importantly, action to improving maternal health for Black mothers. Across the United States, Black mothers are three times more likely to die from pregnancy, making them the most at risk for maternal mortality of any group. In New Mexico, our Black babies have the highest ratio of infant mortality and premature births. In addition, Black women and families are more likely to experience economic instability, lack of access, racism, and implicit bias within the system. Black maternal health is a crisis that demands action. That is why I am proud to cosponsor Representative Lauren Underwood's Black Maternal Momnibus Act to help address the leading causes because access to care is a right, not a privilege, and we cannot leave Black women alone in this fight. Our Black mothers are strong and resilient, and we must work every day to ensure that they have the respect, support, and care they need. ____________________”