Black Maternal Health Week – Empowering Black Mothers in Mississippi Through Heart Health Awareness

From American Heart Association

JACKSON, Miss., April 17, 2025 — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all,  joined community advocates on April 14, 2025 for a press conference at the Mississippi State Capitol, hosted by Representative Zakiya Summers, to honor the strength, resilience, and voices of Black mothers while confronting the urgent need to eliminate the racial disparities that continue to cost lives. 

“At the AHA, our mission is simple: to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. That mission includes ensuring that every mother, especially Black mothers, has the knowledge, tools, and care she needs to survive and thrive during and after pregnancy.” said Laken Camp, American Heart Association Mississippi Government Relations Director. 

Mississippi faces some of the most severe maternal health challenges in the nation:

• Black women in Mississippi are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. ​

• Hypertensive disorders are a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the state, with 25.3% of pregnancy hospitalizations among Black women involving such conditions. ​Mississippi State Department of Health

• The prevalence of high blood pressure among adult Mississippians stands at 43.9%, significantly higher than the national average of 32.2%. ​Mississippi State Department of Health

  
  

Given these alarming statistics, Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) monitoring emerges as a practical and empowering tool for Black mothers:

• Early Detection: SMBP allows for the early identification of hypertensive disorders, enabling timely medical intervention.​

• Accessibility: By facilitating at-home monitoring, SMBP reduces the need for frequent clinic visits, which can be a barrier for many.​

• Empowerment: SMBP empowers women to take an active role in managing their health, fostering a sense of control and awareness.​

  
  

Representative Zakiya Summers of Jackson, MS has been a fierce advocate for the health of women and mothers in Mississippi. She stated in a letter of support for SMBP, “Hypertension remains a significant public health challenge, with nearly half of American adults and 700,000 Mississippians who have the condition unable to achieve adequate control. SMBP monitoring is an evidence-based practice endorsed by leading medical organizations, including the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association. This approach allows patients to measure their blood pressure in non-clinical settings, providing more accurate diagnoses and helping to address conditions such as white-coat hypertension and masked hypertension.”

Paired with expanded access to preventive care, nutrition support, and culturally responsive providers, SMBP is not just a device, it’s a tool for autonomy, early detection, and peace of mind.

This Black Maternal Health Week let’s push forward with solutions that center Black mothers’ needs and leadership. By making tools like SMBP widely available, teaching women how to use them, and supporting policy change to fund them, we can reduce maternal deaths in Mississippi—and empower mothers to protect their own health. Because every mother deserves to survive childbirth and thrive in motherhood.

Join the American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure network. Members will receive regular updates about these bills and opportunities to engage with elected officials in support of these initiatives. 

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About the American Heart Association  

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, on Facebook or Instagram at AHA Mississippi or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries: Mary Brinson mary.brinson@heart.org 319-789-8154

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org and stroke.org