{"id":23888,"date":"2026-04-13T12:23:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T16:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/?p=23888"},"modified":"2026-04-13T12:25:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T16:25:51","slug":"rhhd-highlights-black-maternal-health-services-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/2026\/04\/13\/rhhd-highlights-black-maternal-health-services-2\/","title":{"rendered":"RHHD Highlights Black Maternal Health Services"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> April\u00a013,\u00a02026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Media Contact:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Bryan Hooten,\u00a0804-807-1727,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"mailto:bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RHHD Highlights Black Maternal Health Services<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559739&quot;:60}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Black Maternal Health Week is April 11-17<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">RICHMOND, Va.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0\u2014Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) commemorate\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/womens-health\/features\/maternal-mortality.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Black Maternal Health Week<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0April 11-17 by highlighting services for women offered at RHHD clinics, offices, and\u00a0resource\u00a0centers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cPregnancy is a\u00a0journey\u00a0often marked by beautiful and challenging moments, said Richmond and Henrico Health\u00a0Districts\u00a0Director of Community Programming Margo Webb.\u00a0\u201cBlack Maternal Health week gives us an opportunity to stop and reflect on the unique maternal child health concerns of Black birthing individuals.\u00a0Public health data shows us that Black families experience elevated rates of maternal mortality, preterm\u00a0birth, low birth\u00a0weight\u00a0and infant mortality.\u00a0These outcomes can be changed one pregnancy at a time!\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RHHD offers the following programs and services\u00a0for\u00a0reproductive and maternal and child health:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ensuring women have control over reproductive health<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">RHHD offers\u00a0Family Planning and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/stihiv-prevention-program\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">STI clinical services<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0at its\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/henrico.gov\/locations\/east-health-clinic\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Henrico East<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/henrico.gov\/locations\/human-services\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Henrico West<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/clinical-services\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cary Street<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0(STI only)\u00a0clinics, as well select\u00a0resource\u00a0centers. All services are offered on a sliding scale based on financial availability. Family Planning visits offer the following services:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Gynecological check-ups<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Breast self-exam instruction<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Birth control methods &amp; counseling<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Pap smears and screening tests for\u00a0sexually transmitted infections<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/syphilis\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Syphilis<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)\u00a0caused by a\u00a0bacteria. Mothers who have syphilis while pregnant\u00a0may\u00a0not\u00a0have any symptoms but\u00a0can pass the infection to their babies\u00a0and cause severe health problems.\u00a0Syphilis can be transmitted to the unborn child at any stage of infection, though it is most contagious during its primary and secondary stages.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/syphilis\/data-in-virginia\/#con-syph-cases\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cases<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0of\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/syphilis\/about\/about-congenital-syphilis.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">congenital syphilis<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0have been rising in Virginia and in the Central Region, which includes Richmond City and Henrico County, since 2016.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Screening for syphilis can help\u00a0to prevent transmission.\u00a0The\u00a0Virginia\u00a0Department of\u00a0Health (VDH)\u00a0revised its\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/220\/Acc.-Final-2024-Virginia-Syphilis-Screening-Guidelines-by-County-and-City-Accessible.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">syphilis screening recommendations<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for sexually active people aged 15-44 to be based on\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">rates of all stages of syphilis<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0among women 15-44, instead of only primary and secondary cases.\u00a0Expanding the guidelines to include the rate of all stages of syphilis ensures a more\u00a0accurate\u00a0representation of counties with high syphilis rates among women, including counties with congenital syphilis diagnoses that would otherwise have been left out.\u00a0VDH recommends\u00a0that pregnant persons get screened\u00a0during the\u00a0first\u00a0trimester, early third trimester, and at delivery.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RHHD clinics also provide regular screening for other STIs\u00a0like\u00a0chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, HIV,\u00a0Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C based on personal risk factors and sexual history.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:2790,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">RHHD also offers HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiv.gov\/hiv-basics\/hiv-prevention\/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk\/pre-exposure-prophylaxis\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">PrEP<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">) services at its\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/henrico.gov\/locations\/east-health-clinic\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Henrico East Clinic<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/clinical-services\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cary Street Clinic<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0PrEP\u00a0is a medication that reduces a person&#8217;s chances of getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).\u00a0PrEP\u00a0may also be\u00a0an option\u00a0to help\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hiv\/prevention\/prep.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hiv\/basics\/prep.html#cdc_prevention_overview-overview\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">protect pregnant people and their babies<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0from getting HIV while trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding. Virginia residents can contact the RHHD\u00a0PrEP\u00a0team at 804-664-2125.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Improving access to maternal health<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/healthy-childbirth-and-infancy\/#maternity\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Maternity Navigation<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0team supports expectant parents with pregnancy confirmation, connection to prenatal care, benefits enrollment, and material distribution. Richmond residents seeking Maternity Navigation\u00a0services\u00a0can call 804-482-5454. Henrico residents seeking Maternity Navigation\u00a0services\u00a0can call 804-501-5520.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Black birthing population continues to experience adverse maternal, child health outcomes. They have an increased risk of\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5915910\/#:~:text=Black%20women%20have%20higher%20rates,28%20cardiac%20events%2C%20and%20infections.\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">severe illness<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0during pregnancy and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4361938\/#:~:text=Very%20preterm%20birth%20(%3C32%20weeks,reasons%20that%20are%20incompletely%20understood.\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">preterm birth<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/wic\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0provides nutrition education and healthy foods to improve pregnancy outcomes and enable families to make lifelong healthy eating and lifestyle choices. Virginia residents can apply for WIC support through this\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.myvawic.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">online form<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">RHHD clinical services accept Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. RHHD participates in\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/immunization\/vvfc\/locatevvfcprovider\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Virginia Vaccines for Children<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/immunization\/vvfa\/locatevvfaprovider\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Virginia Vaccines for Adults<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, providing free immunizations to children and adults who are uninsured or underinsured.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">RHHD connects women to\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/primary-care-richmond-and-henrico-health-districts\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">primary care providers<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0that focus on women\u2019s health.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 aria-level=\"3\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maternal Health Data<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:320,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Each year in the United States, hundreds of people die during pregnancy or in the year after. Thousands more have unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery with serious short- or long-term health consequences. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.cdc.gov\/#\/details?url=https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/media\/releases\/2022\/p0919-pregnancy-related-deaths.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">preventable<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">. Recognizing urgent maternal warning signs, providing\u00a0timely\u00a0treatment, and delivering respectful, quality care can prevent many pregnancy-related deaths.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/womens-health\/features\/maternal-mortality.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in quality healthcare and underlying chronic conditions. Social determinants of health prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"3\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Tips for pregnant women and their families<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/2024\/05\/20\/what-does-it-mean-to-speak-to-a-medical-provider\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Talk to a healthcare provider<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0if anything\u00a0doesn&#8217;t\u00a0feel right or is concerning.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Seek immediate care if experiencing any of the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hearher\/maternal-warning-signs\/index.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">urgent maternal warning signs<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0including severe headache, extreme swelling of hands or face, trouble breathing, heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge, overwhelming tiredness, and more. These symptoms could\u00a0indicate\u00a0a potentially life-threatening complication.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Share recent pregnancy history during each medical care visit for up to one year after delivery.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Connect with healthcare and social support systems before, during, and after pregnancy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Visit\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rhhd.gov\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">rhhd.gov<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/richmondcity_hd\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">@richmondcity_hd<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">) and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RichmondHenricoHealthDistricts\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"># # #<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/rhhd.gov\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">rhhd.gov<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0|\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/henrico.gov\/health\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">henrico.gov\/health<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0|\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RichmondHenricoHealthDistricts\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">RHHD Facebook<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0| IG:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/richmondcity_hd\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">@richmondcity_hd<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559738&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April\u00a013,\u00a02026 Media Contact:\u00a0Bryan Hooten,\u00a0804-807-1727,\u00a0bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov\u00a0 \u00a0 RHHD Highlights Black Maternal Health Services\u00a0 Black Maternal Health Week is April 11-17\u00a0 RICHMOND, Va.\u00a0\u2014Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) commemorate\u00a0Black Maternal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":590,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pr"],"modified_by":"bryanhooten","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - 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