Boston Event to Address Rising Maternal Health Crisis and Racial Disparities in Massachusetts

YW Boston and Senator Liz Miranda will convene healthcare leaders, advocates, and community voices for a Kuumba Conversations event on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Kuumba Library, 140 Clarendon Street, 2nd Floor in Boston. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10 a.m., as severe maternal health complications in Massachusetts have nearly doubled over the past decade and disproportionately impact Black women. The discussion will focus on maternal health equity in Greater Boston, highlighting urgent gaps in care, the experiences of women of color, and solutions to address a growing and preventable crisis.

The session will examine key priorities including protecting and expanding funding for birth centers and maternal mental health programs, as well as advancing legislation to support economic stability during pregnancy, expand insurance coverage for doula services, and strengthen birth center sustainability and the midwifery workforce. Speakers include leaders from Tufts University School of Medicine, Mass General Brigham, the Bay State Birth Coalition, Neighborhood Birth Center, and other maternal health organizations, offering both policy expertise and lived experiences.