Improving Black Maternal Health Open House 2026

Dr. Jacqueline Hairston

CHICAGO – March 31, 2026 – Black Maternal Health Week is recognized from April 11-17, a time to raise awareness that Black women in the United States are dying from pregnancy-related causes at a higher rate. For the third year, Northwestern Medicine's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department is hosting an educational session and open house on Tuesday, April 14, at Prentice Women's Hospital to raise awareness for Black maternal health. 

What: Third annual Improving Black Maternal Health Open House. The event is free to attend and will feature discussion of women's health hot topics, demonstrations on subjects such as pushing positions, exhibitors from Northwestern and the greater Chicago community, along with tours of Labor and Delivery.

When: Tuesday, April 14, from 5-7:30 pm 

Where: Prentice Women's Hospital, third floor atrium, 250 East Superior Street, Chicago

Parking: With registration, attendees can park in Northwestern Medicine Parking Garages A (222 East Huron Street), C (321 East Ontario Street) and D (321 East Ontario Street) at no charge

Register for the event by clicking here. 

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Event Highlights: 

- Labor and Delivery Floor tour

- Q&A panel with Obstetrics and Gynecology physicians

- Speakers will address hot topics such as: high risk pregnancies, infertility, mental health, anesthesia and birth preferences

- Exhibitors and demonstrations include: pelvic floor physical therapy, social work, smoking cessation program, midwives and pushing positions, contraception and family planning, genetics, etc. 

- Networking opportunities with physicians and nurses

- Food and beverages will be provided

The Importance of Black Maternal Health
The focus on Black maternal health is crucial due to the stark disparities in maternal mortality rates. In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 69 deaths per 100,000 live births, a rate 2.6 times higher than that for non-Hispanic white women. Furthermore, Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, with over 80% of these deaths being preventable. 

Jacqueline Hairston, MD, is a leading voice in the field and maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Northwestern Medicine. When asked about the disparities in maternal mortality rates, Dr. Hairston explains, “We don’t have a good way of quantifying systemic racism and what we’re using as a proxy is race. We have a long way to go in terms of research, but we know that there are things we can do to improve the health of Black birthing people.”

For more information on overcoming barriers to health, visit nm.org. 

To register for the event, click here.