Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2025

First Ladies Health Initiative Launches National Campaign to Combat Black Maternal Mortality

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CHICAGO | ATLANTA | LOS ANGELES — The First Ladies Health Initiative (FLHI), a
17-year-old nonprofit organization committed to advancing health equity in underserved
communities, is launching a groundbreaking national campaign to address the U.S. maternal
health crisis. This campaign was partially funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes
Research Institute® (PCORI®) Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award (38967). The
content does not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Institute (PCORI).

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed country. Black
women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women—a
gap that remains largely driven by preventable factors. FLHI’s campaign is rooted in evidence
from PCORI-funded research studies and brings those findings into action by delivering
life-saving education and tools directly to communities through a trusted and culturally relevant
model.

By leveraging the trusted voices of First Ladies—the spouses of pastors in predominantly Black
churches—FLHI ensures that health education is both accessible and grounded in community.
These women serve as influential leaders within their congregations and will champion the
dissemination of proven, research-based strategies to improve maternal outcomes.

“In far too many cases, Black mothers are dying from causes we have the power to prevent,”
said Taylor Alston, Co-Executive Director of FLHI. “By equipping First Ladies with life-saving
information and connecting them to top medical experts, we’re ensuring that health education is
trusted, accessible, and culturally relevant.”

Championing this initiative is Dr. Charis Chambers, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB/GYN and
nationally recognized women’s health advocate. Known to her 246,000+ Instagram followers as
The Period Doctor, Dr. Chambers is using her platform to amplify awareness around maternal
health and wellness—particularly for women of color. Her passion and expertise make her a
vital voice in this effort to ensure more mothers not only survive birth but thrive afterward.

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Campaign Highlights:

• Live Health Panels & Podcast Recordings featuring medical professionals and First Ladies
   

• Social Media & PSA Campaigns to expand digital reach
   

• Faith-Based Outreach through churches and community events
   

• Educational Materials including infographics, video highlights, and postpartum care tools
   

The focus of this project will be disseminating results of the Postpartum Home Blood Pressure
Monitoring: A Systematic Review and the overall Postpartum Care for Women Up to One Year
After Birth. The FLHI will emphasize the importance of postpartum care, specifically focusing on
blood pressure monitoring at home following birth, while also encompassing other critical topics
related to maternal health.

All content and resources will be accessible through FLHI’s website and distributed through
participating churches, social media platforms, and community health networks.
For more information, visit www.FirstLadiesHealth.com

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Media Contact:
📩 Sharon Brown
sbrown@firstladieshealth.com