Black History Month Addressing Maternal Health

Jodi Wahba on February 10, 2026

Black History Month Highlights the Urgent Need to Address Black Maternal Mental Health—Through Prevention, Equity, and Universal Support 

As the nation observes Black History Month, Family Connects International (FCI) is uplifting the critical need to address Black maternal mental health—an area where long-standing inequities continue to place Black mothers at greater risk, despite resilience, strength, and deep community knowledge. 

According to the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Black mothers experience significantly higher rates of maternal mental health conditions, including postpartum depression and anxiety, yet are less likely to receive timely diagnosis, treatment, or follow-up care. Structural barriers—such as implicit bias in healthcare, lack of culturally responsive services, limited access to postpartum support, and fragmented systems of care—continue to drive inequitable outcomes. 

Maternal mental health conditions are among the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and when left unaddressed, they can affect not only mothers, but infant health, family stability, and long-term child development. 

“Black maternal mental health outcomes are not the result of individual failure—they are the result of systems that too often fail Black mothers,” said Jade Woodard, Executive Director of Family Connects International. “Equity requires intentional, preventive solutions that meet families early, universally, and with trust.” 

And the Data tell us that: 

  • Black women experience higher rates of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders than white women. 
  • Black mothers are less likely to be screened, referred, or treated for maternal mental health concerns. 
  • Untreated maternal mental health conditions contribute to higher rates of maternal morbidity, increased emergency care use, and negative impacts on infant and child outcomes. 

These inequities persist even when controlling for income and education—underscoring the need for system-level, equity-driven solutions. 
 

How the Family Connects Model Advances Equity 

  • Universal Reach: Every family is offered support, ensuring Black mothers are not excluded due to eligibility rules or referral gaps. 
  • Early Screening & Relational Health: Registered nurses assess maternal mental health, physical health, and social needs during the critical postpartum window. 
  • Direct Connection to Care: Nurses link mothers to culturally responsive mental health services, primary care, and community supports. 
  • Demonstrated Reduction in Disparities: Research shows the Family Connects model reduces racial disparities across multiple outcomes, including maternal mental health, emergency medical use, and connection to preventive care. 
  • Prevention-First Approach: Addressing needs early prevents escalation into crises that disproportionately impact Black families. 

“When support is universal and preventive, equity improves,” said Kim Friedman JD, Chief Program Officer at FCI. “The Family Connects model shows that disparities are not inevitable—they are reducible when systems are designed with intention.” 

Black History Month is both a time to honor Black leadership and resilience—and a call to address the inequities that continue to affect Black families today. 

Family Connects International calls on health systems, policymakers, funders, and community partners to invest in universal postpartum support models that center maternal mental health, dismantle structural barriers, and ensure Black mothers receive the care they deserve. 

“Supporting Black maternal mental health is not only a moral imperative—it is a public health necessity,” said Jade Woodard. “When Black mothers thrive, families and communities thrive.”