PA HR379

Designates January 23, 2026, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to recognize women who die from pregnancy or childbirth complications

U.S. maternal mortality rates have risen from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 18.7 per 100,000 in 2023, with pandemic peaks of 33.2 per 100,000 in 2021

Pennsylvania's pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 32 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, with Black women experiencing rates of 60 per 100,000—two times higher than the overall state rate

References Act 24 of 2018 (Maternal Mortality Review Act), which established a multidisciplinary committee to examine pregnancy-related deaths and develop prevention recommendations

Notes the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus was formed in October 2023 to address racial disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity