Neighborhood Health Center partnered with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to host a Black Maternal Health Week event on Wednesday April 16. The event was at Neighborhood Health Center’s Riverway location, 1569 Niagara Street. Visitors enjoyed refreshments and had the opportunity to get resources and information about Black maternal health, and free packs of diapers. The event also included a health kit giveaway containing a scale, digital thermometer and blood pressure cuff.

Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17) aims to raise awareness about disparities in maternal health outcomes. People of color in Erie County have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to the New York State Department of Health. The overall Erie County percentage of low birth weights is 9%, but among Black/African Americans it’s 15%. Starting pregnancy care earlier rather than later in the pregnancy can contribute to better outcomes. Neighborhood is addressing barriers that can cause people to delay the start of pregnancy care. Those barriers can include transportation, medical office hours, and language barriers.

“We have an opportunity and a responsibility to confront disparities in maternal health,” said Neighborhood Health Center President and CEO Joanne Haefner, FNP. “By looking at and addressing both the medical factors and non-medical or social drivers, we can make progress toward eliminating disparities.”

WGRZ-TV coverage of the event.