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Dallas County proclaims Black Maternal Health Week; coalition outlines coordinated strategies and data needs
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Summary
The Commissioners Court proclaimed April 11–17, 2025 as Black Maternal Health Week. A coalition of health systems, community clinics and nonprofits described collaborative initiatives aimed at reducing Black maternal morbidity and mortality and expanding home visitation and community-based services.
The Dallas County Commissioners Court on April 1 approved a proclamation recognizing Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17) and heard coordinated remarks from a local coalition led by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Medical City Health Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Parkland Health, Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic, Communities Foundation of Texas and several community-based providers.
Why it matters: Officials cited national and state disparities — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that Black women in the U.S. are several times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes — and local partners described programs and funding partnerships to address inequities in access to prenatal and postpartum care.
Coalition highlights and county action: - United Way and partner hospitals described the United for Healthy Starts collaboration, which aims to expand home visiting and community supports and connect families with services across the continuum of care. - Parkland, Medical City and community clinics described services including home visitation, nurse-family partnership programs and community-based perinatal supports; Parkland cited ongoing postnatal follow-up practices that sustain contact for the first postpartum year. - Partners pointed to data-driven interventions, culturally aligned workforce development and cross-sector investments that improve access and outcomes for Black birthing people.
Court action: The Commissioners Court adopted the proclamation unanimously and recognized the coalition’s work; members requested continued updates on program outcomes and encouraged the county’s health and human services staff to coordinate with the coalition.
Ending: The coalition and county committed to sustained engagement and to use data to target investments that reduce maternal morbidity and mortality for Black mothers and infants.
