2024 Black Birth Symposium tackles maternal health disparities

The 2024 Black Birth: Maternal & Infant Health Symposium, presented by GE Healthcare, is set to take place on Saturday, May 11, at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. This annual event, now in its third year, aims to foster dialogue between community members and healthcare providers to address racial disparities in maternal healthcare.

Maternal health disparities remain a significant issue in the United States, with Black women facing disproportionately higher risks. According to the CDC, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. In Milwaukee, the infant mortality rate for Black babies is nearly three times higher than that of white babies.

The symposium will feature a keynote conversation with Mariah Riddlesprigger, maternal healthcare advocate and fiancée of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Riddlesprigger will share her experiences and insights into the challenges facing parents of color in Milwaukee.

The event is made possible through the support of various organizations, including Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc., the Zilber Family Foundation, the City of Milwaukee Health Department, Milwaukee County Office of Equity, Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin, and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.

“We are committed to addressing the unique challenges of limited access to health care services in Milwaukee communities,” said Lauri Diske, Director of Women’s Services for Froedtert Health.

The symposium’s collaborative approach brings together community-based partner organizations and corporate partners like GE Healthcare to raise awareness and seek solutions for this critical issue.

“We’re focused on innovating and providing solutions that can help clinicians focus on those with greatest risk and potentially reduce disparities, especially in maternal and infant patient outcomes,” says Larry Boyd, General Manager of Maternal Infant Care for GE HealthCare.

The Black Birth Symposium serves as an important platform for addressing maternal and infant health disparities in Milwaukee and beyond. By bringing together community members, healthcare providers, and key stakeholders, the event aims to ignite meaningful conversations and drive positive change in maternal healthcare.

Register for the Black Birth Symposium via the website.