On September 22, 2023, APA President Thema Bryant, PhD, was a featured presenter during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 52nd Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF ALC). Each year, the conference brings together visionaries, activists, and leaders who are shaping policies impacting the African American community.
Bryant spoke at Representative Lauren Underwood’s (D-Illinois) panel, “Moms Can’t Wait,” which focused on the impact of the Black maternal mental health crisis. Underwood, a strong supporter of psychology, is the lead sponsor of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus (H.R. 3305opens in new window/S.1606opens in new window), a legislative package of 13 individual bills that address every leading cause of maternal death in the United States, including providing maternal mental health equity and behavioral health care workforce grants.
Bryant stated that, “It is very important for there to be coverage for the postpartum period extending to a year. It can be overwhelming for people in general to transition to parenthood, and we all know that once you leave the hospital you need both physical and mental care and support. During this critical time, many Black women are forced to confront the medical dynamic of a biased health care system, the mental health dynamic and the trauma of racism. We must do better to ensure quality maternal mental health care for all birthing people, and the Momnibus is a critical first step.”
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show that Black women are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White womenopens in new window, with most of the maternal deaths being preventableopens in new window. Research points to several reasons why this racial and socioeconomic disparity exists for Black people, such as lack of access to high-quality health care, missed or delayed diagnoses of issues like hypertension, and lack of action or knowledge from providers around warning signs. The CDC has also found that 23% of maternal mortality in the United States is caused by mental health issues such as overdose and suicide, and other mental health conditions such as anxiety and substance use that can play a huge role in maternal health. Many psychologists say stress is another factor that can contribute to poor maternal health outcomes for Black people.
One of Representative Underwood’s first actions when she joined Congress in 2019 was to launch the Black Maternal Health Caucus. In July 2023, Bryant presented Underwood with an APA Services presidential citation for her exceptional congressional leadership and bipartisan efforts to advance health equity. As a nurse and health care policy expert, Underwood brings to Congress an unparalleled and needed insight into fixing our health care system and APA Services will continue to work with her to advance maternal mental health.
