Urging all Jurisdictions to prioritize addressing the Maternal and Infant Mortality Crisis
Adopted at the 86th Annual Meeting in 2018
WHEREAS, the United States is the only industrialized country with a rising maternal mortality ratio and is ranked 47th globally for its maternal mortality rate; and
WHEREAS, maternal and infant mortality is exacerbated by factors such as poverty, gender inequality, age and multiple forms of discrimination, as well as factors such as lack of access to adequate health facilities and technology, and lack of infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, considerable racial disparities in pregnancy-related mortality exist with deaths per live birth for black women nearly three times higher than deaths for white women; and
WHEREAS, the root cause of these disparities is longstanding structural racism, which has contributed to poorer health outcomes among communities of color; and
WHEREAS, reducing infant and maternal mortality will require a multi-faceted, comprehensive national strategy including access to health coverage; access to a continuum of prevention and intervention services for all women, infants, and families; access to high-quality, patient-centered care; and investments in prevention and public health throughout communities;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the United States Conference of Mayors urges each of our member jurisdictions, state and county governments, Congress and federal agencies to give a renewed emphasis to maternal health programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Conference of Mayors encourages each of our member jurisdictions to establish or expand maternal mortality review committees to examine pregnancy- related and pregnancy-associated deaths and identify ways to improve maternal care and maternal health outcomes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Conference of Mayors supports funding for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program, which provides funding for communities to work towards reducing infant mortality, and improve the health of pregnant women.