Maternal Health Awareness Day: January 23, 2021

The maternal mortality rate in the United States is higher than any other resource-rich nation, and approximately 60% of maternal deaths are preventable. Inexcusably, almost all women of color are disproportionately impacted by this crisis. For example, Black women experience mortality at a rate three to four times higher than white women, and American Indian and Alaska Native women die at a rate two to three times higher. This must stop.

Although the country has turned its attention to the COVID-19 pandemic, maternal mortality remains a public health crisis. We must continue to focus our attention and resources on addressing this crisis and saving the lives of mothers across the country.

To help more people to learn about the urgency of the country’s maternal mortality crisis and how we can work together to reverse its course, ACOG will be observing Maternal Health Awareness Day this January 23. Please join us.

About Maternal Health Awareness Day

In 2016, the New Jersey Section of ACOG joined the Tara Hansen Foundation; the Rutgers Medical Schools (Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the New Jersey Medical School); the New Jersey Obstetrical and Gynecological Society; the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; and the New Jersey Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives to request the establishment of a Maternal Health Awareness Day in New Jersey to raise the level of awareness of all New Jersey residents of maternal health issues. This effort came to legislative fruition in 2017, and New Jersey celebrated its first Maternal Health Awareness Day.

Enthusiasm for a District III-wide Maternal Health Awareness Day prompted all Sections to begin educational programs to promote community, patient, and other stakeholder awareness of maternal health risks. Each Section developed projects in this regard and brought the need for a Maternal Health Awareness Day to their government officials and other stakeholders, who received the requests enthusiastically. Maternal Health Awareness Day is recognized in each Section in District III.

How can you help raise awareness? On January 23, join us on social media using the hashtag #123ForMoms. You can also find some sample social media content and links to downloadable graphics below.

Sample Social Media Content

Below are several sample social media posts that you can use to help spread the word about Maternal Health Awareness Day within your networks. Remember to include #123ForMoms in everything you share.

• On January 23, join me in observing Maternal Health Awareness Day, #123ForMoms. As an #obgyn, I am committed to improving maternal health outcomes and eliminating inequities for my patients and for moms across the country.
•  Why am I celebrating Maternal Health Awareness Day on January 23? Because as an #obgyn, I know that 60% of maternal deaths are preventable, and that we can, and must, do better. Join me at #123ForMoms.
• Postpartum care should be an ongoing process, not a single encounter. This can prevent pregnancy-related & -associated conditions from becoming fatal & set the stage for long-term health & well-being. Learn more on optimizing postpartum care: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care #123forMoms
• It's critical patients schedule essential preventive maternal care appointments & screenings, even if via #telehealth. Women’s #HCPs can use ACOG’s new tool kit to communicate importance of scheduling preventive care appointments in 2021: https://www.acog.org/covid-19/acog-tool-kit-on-routine-visits-and-screenings-during-the-pandemic #123forMoms
• It’s important to learn the symptoms of preeclampsia, as this serious blood pressure disorder can happen during pregnancy or soon after childbirth. Understand the warning signs by learning more here: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/preeclampsia-and-pregnancy #123forMoms
• Pregnancy complications & chronic medical conditions can be managed effectively or prevented through timely follow-up & ongoing & coordinated care. Work with your #obgyn or other #HCP to ensure good health before pregnancy. Learn more: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/good-health-before-pregnancy-prepregnancy-care #123forMoms

Downloadable Graphics: Twitter | Facebook and Instagram

Resources

• ACOG Postpartum Tool Kit: Racial Disparities in Maternal Mortality in the United States
• ACOG Commitment to Changing the Culture of Medicine and Eliminating Disparities in Women’s Health Outcomes
• ACOG Committee Opinion on Optimizing Postpartum Care
• ACOG Executive Board Statement of Policy on Racial Bias
• Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health
• ACOG District III Activities and Resources