Pampers Taking Action To Help Address Black Maternal Health Disparity

Photos: Black Mamas Matter Alliance\CDC\Twitter

(Black PR Wire) CINCINNATI–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Inequality, systemic bias, high risk of complications and death. These are the realities Black moms are confronted with during their pregnancy journey. America’s maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the developed world and highest among Black women [1.]

In fact, Black mothers are 3x more likely to die or suffer complications in pregnancy and post-partum than white women, and 60% of all maternal deaths are preventable [2.]

Pampers believes the time to change the outcomes for Black moms is now; which is why the brand is proud to sponsor the fifth annual Black Maternal Health Week, founded and led by Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), and partner with Rock The Bells to create a limited edition Non-Fungible Token (NFT) collection with proceeds going back to BMMA to advance care for more Black mamas.

“It can be assumed that pregnancy is a time of excitement and joy for all parents, but when we look at the harsh reality of the experience for Black moms we understand that is not the full story. Pregnancy and birth can be scary, even more so when you’re three times more likely not to survive it,” said Melissa Aceves, Senior Brand Director of Pampers Equity & Inclusion at & Procter Gamble. “At Pampers, we believe every parent is entitled to experience the full joy ofpregnancy and parenthood. That’s why we are committed to helping change the systemic issues that prevent Black moms from receiving the equitable care they and their families deserve. We’re proud to sponsor Black Maternal Health Week and provide a way for people to help drive change through our NFT offering.”

This Black Maternal Health Week, Pampers will help further BMMA’s work centered on providing Black women scholarships, maternity care and advocacy. The limited edition NFT is designed by artist Keah Adams of Art By Venus Studio – an advocate for Black voices in the Arts – and will be auctioned on Thursday, April 14th on Curio, the premier NFT platform for some of the biggest names in entertainment. Proceeds will support BMMA, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating, changing policy and shifting culture for Black maternal health, rights and justice.

“We appreciate the support and amplification of our Black Maternal Health Week campaign by Pampers,” said Angela D. Aina, executive director at Black Mamas Matter Alliance. “Similar efforts by likeminded brands allows for broader reach of the necessary awareness of the maternal mortality crisis in the United States, and showcases ways that this problem can be addressed through supporting Black-led maternal health equity initiatives.”

The NFT collection will feature a unique motion-designed NFT starting at a reserve price of $6,000 USD, inclusive of 2 VIP tickets to the upcoming Rock The Bells Festival on August 6th, in New York City; as well as an unlimited number of open edition digital collectible NFTs for $60 USD, like purchasing a digital print. For the first 24 hours after the auction is live, Rock The Bells and Curio will match all sales up to $10,000 on the open edition NFT.

“Working to reduce Black maternal mortality is a cause that we could not be more proud to support,” said James Cuthbert, president of Rock The Bells, the global lifestyle brand and preeminent voice for classic and timeless Hip-Hop founded by LL COOL J. “This partnership signifies the imperative action needed to support Black mothers and we’re excited to join Pampers’ deep work in this space with Curio’s innovative technology to help fight for better outcomes for Black mothers.”

The Black Maternal Health Week sponsorship and NFT auction builds on Pampers’ track record of taking action to address maternal health disparity. In 2021, the brand invested over $1 million in educational resources to enable equitable care for parents before, during and after birth; helped provide implicit bias training for healthcare professionals in partnership with March of Dimes; curated resources to help parents prepare for the journey and connect with specialized care resources; and partnered with Queen Collective and director Haimy Assefa, to produce a documentary on the realities of giving birth as a Black person in America.

In 2022 and beyond, Pampers is expanding the implicit bias training with March of Dimes, which will positively impact over 20,000 parents each year; and forming ongoing strategic partnerships with other leading organizations in the field. All with the goal of helping to lower the systemic barriers Black moms face in receiving equitable care.

For more information, visit the Pampers Black Maternal Health hub to learn more and purchase the limited edition NFT to help drive change and support Black moms.