The Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Psychological Association co-sponsored this summit to promote maternal mental and physical health.

The goal of “Maternal Health: Partnering for the Wellness of Racially Marginalized Communities” was to 1) educate and heighten awareness to faith and community leaders on the nation’s maternal health crisis, outlining some of the major psychosocial risk factors that contribute to maternal physical and mental health complications, ranging from depression, racism to maternal mortality; and, 2) to share pathways to holistic model of care for pregnant individuals where all attendees can play a role in partnering for the wellness of racially marginalized communities. The event provided an opportunity to encourage conversations among diverse groups of faith-based and community leaders, clinical providers and health professionals to strengthen local efforts to address disparities in maternal health outcomes.

The United States has a higher maternal mortality rate than nearly any other economically advanced country in the world, with Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women about three times as likely to die from pregnancy or delivery complications as white women.
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