Georgia is among the top states in the nation with the worst maternal mortality rates. The North Central Health District is number two in the state with the highest rates of maternal mortality. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Maternal Mortality Report (2018-2020), 48% of pregnancy-related deaths occurred within 0 to 60 days postpartum. Of those deaths, 89% were preventable. The study goes on to show that 56% of these deaths were African Americans. Racial inequities contribute to that disparity: African American patients die during and after pregnancy at a rate three times higher than their white counterparts. Also, our African American babies are three times more likely to die before their first birthday. Fathers are present in these moments. With education, resources, and support, they can contribute to decreasing these rates.
WHO: Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere, www.robeforfamily.org, 404-719-4297, croute@breastfeedingrose.org
WHAT: Black Men’s Role in Reproductive Justice Summit
WHEN: Friday, July 19th from 10am-4:30pm & Saturday July 20th from 11am-4pm
WHERE: Friday at the Community Achievement Center at 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034, for a day of male empowerment sessions, discussions and resolutioneering, and on Saturday from 11am-4pm at Green Forest Baptist Church, 3250 Rainbow Drive, Decatur, GA 30034 for a ROSE/ROBE Community Day event for Fathers, Families, Food and Fun
HOW: This year’s focus will be on the “Role of Black Men in Reproductive Justice” and appreciating others in this space where up to 150 men will enjoy taking responsible fatherhood to an entirely different level with a “Town Hall” type format. This will be a day of awareness, activism, and community building to deepen the conversation about Black maternal, infant, family and community health in the United States but especially in the African American community. We will begin to normalize the conversation around breastfeeding as infant first food, amplify community-driven policy, research, and care solutions, center the voices of Black Men, Families, Community stakeholders, and provide a national platform for Black male-led entities and advocacy efforts on preconception health.