Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center shines light on maternal health disparities with UPLIFTING Black Maternal Health event

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's P3 Center will host UPLIFTING Black Maternal Health from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the Niagara Falls Train Station, 825 Depot Ave. This event is designed to recognize Black Maternal Health Week. Organizers said it aims to raise awareness about the disproportionate maternal health disparities affecting Black mothers.

The free program features keynote speaker Fatima Mathews, founder of Strong Heart 2 Soul, who will lead a discussion on cardiac health; and plenary speaker Dr. Davina Moss, founder and president of Positive Direction and Associates Inc., who will discuss maternal mental health. The event will also include community-based doula panel discussions, yoga, healing art, and an optional paid tour of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. A free lunch will be provided by event sponsor Williamson Funeral Home.

The UPLIFTING Black Maternal Health event is part of Black Maternal Health Week, sponsored by The Black Mamas Matter Alliance, observed during National Minority Health Month in April. The week's goal is to amplify Black mothers' voices and center the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements.

NFMMC stated, “Maternal morbidity and mortality rates in the United States are significantly higher than in other developed countries. In 2020, Black women died from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth at three times the rate of White women. Research has shown that structural racism, implicit bias in health care, and underlying chronic conditions contribute to these disparities. Additionally, Black mothers are more likely to suffer from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in silence and without clinical help. Health care providers, community agencies, lawmakers and community members must work together to address these issues.”

UPLIFTING Black Maternal Health is presented in partnership with Action for Niagara Families, a community action board organized by the P3 Center. To register for the event, contact Eileen Kineke at 716-278-4274 before April 5.

About The P3 Center

The P3 Center is NFMMC’s perinatal and infant community health initiative, featuring community health worker services made possible by the New York State Department of Health Perinatal & Infant Community Health Collaboratives grant. Community-based doula services are made possible by a grant from the Blue Fund and a contract with Amerigroup. NYS Baby Bundles are made possible by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDGB5), Grant Number 90TP005901, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.