TWebinar — Conversations on Health: Maternal Health in the 2022 Midterm Elections

The United States is well behind other developed nations regarding its maternal health policies. Among member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States falls second to last regarding the number of maternal deaths — and this rate is only rising. The U.S. also faces persistent racial disparities in maternal mortality, with minority women experiencing significantly higher rates of maternal death than their white counterparts. On top of this, there is no guaranteed maternity leave in the U.S., which places a considerable financial burden on new mothers. Even with bipartisan calls for maternity leave following the 2016 election, there have been no serious efforts to enact new legislation.

This webinar, the second of a three-part series on health policy and the 2022 midterm elections, focuses on maternal health issues and the policies that could make a difference. Panelists will discuss the many challenges mothers face — including difficulties accessing adequate health care and providing support for their children. Policies regarding health care inequities, maternity leave, contraceptive access and childcare support will also be considered, as well as the obstacles mothers confront when trying to mobilize for policy change.

This webinar is sponsored by the Baker Institute Center for Health and Biosciences. Follow @BakerCHB on Twitter, and join the conversation with #BakerHealth.