AL HJR115

Designates May 10, 2020, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Alabama to raise public and professional awareness about maternal health, safety, and mortality issues.

Approximately 700 women die annually in the United States from pregnancy and childbirth complications, with more than 60 percent of these deaths preventable.

Alabama's maternal mortality rate ranks 48th nationally and increased 21 percent since 2016, with 41 maternal deaths recorded in 2017.

Significant racial disparities exist in Alabama, where Black women experience 22 additional pregnancy-related deaths for every White woman death, and nationally are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes.

Encourages development of new programs and initiatives to improve maternal health outcomes and supports funding for a state Maternal Mortality Review Committee, following the example of more than 40 other states.