Observed each April, Black Maternal Health Week brings awareness to persistent disparities in maternal health outcomes. Black birthing people in the United States continue to face higher risks of pregnancy-related complications and mortality, driven by systemic inequities and limited access to quality maternity care.

Access challenges affect communities nationwide, as hospital labor and delivery units close due to financial, staffing and policy pressures. These closures – especially common in rural areas – force patients to travel farther for care or go without vital services, further compounding disparities for Black families.

Health Quality Innovators (HQI) is proud to lead the Maryland Perinatal-Neonatal Quality Collaborative (MDPQC). This network of perinatal care providers and public health professionals work to improve health outcomes for birthing people and newborns through continuous quality improvement.

The Collaborative provides participating hospitals with education, technical assistance and opportunities to share best practices, helping promote safer, more equitable and patient-centered maternity care.

During Black Maternal Health Week, HQI reaffirms its commitment to advancing maternal health equity and supporting initiatives that address disparities and improve care for all families.

Visit the MDPQC website to learn more about this initiative and how it supports healthcare professionals, parents and parents-to-be.