(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON — The NAACP, along with Legal Defense Fund (LDF), National Action Network (NAN), the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, and the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, sent a letter to shareholders at Tenet Healthcare Corporation urging them to support a proposal related to maternal health. This is of particular interest to these organizations because poor maternal health outcomes are a public health crisis in the United States that has an outsized effect on Black communities.

The proposal – which was submitted by the New York State Common Retirement Fund – calls on Tenet's Board of Directors to issue a comprehensive public report detailing strategies and programs the company has deployed to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidities. Today's letter highlights the proposal as an important step toward improving maternal health outcomes and eliminating racial disparities that adversely affect Black pregnant people.

"Despite progress in some areas of reproductive health care, Black women still make up a disproportionate number of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States and are over three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes," said Michaele N. Turnage Young, Senior Counsel and Co-Manager of the Equal Protection Initiative at LDF. "Reports show that over 80% of these deaths are likely unavoidable. By disclosing its efforts through the proposed report, Tenet would be taking a vital step toward understanding and ultimately reducing maternal deaths across the United States. We strongly urge the Tenet's shareholders to vote in favor of the proposal."

As the United States faces the highest rate of maternal deaths of any high-income country, transparency and accountability are critical to addressing this crisis. A comprehensive report from Tenet would provide essential data that can inform stakeholders and help advance evidence-backed solutions to one of the country's most pressing problems.

"The NAACP stands firm in the imperative for systems to practice accountability in undoing the harm structural racism has caused in healthcare and to Black women and birthing people," said Dr. Chris T. Pernell, Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity. "As physicians, we take the oath to 'First Do No Harm.' As advocates, we are clear that the healthcare ecosystem must develop people-centered strategies to provide safe, high-quality, and culturally fluent care. As community members, we demand value on investment in the human experience to deliver better outcomes for all mothers and birthing people."

You can read the full letter  here.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

About LDF

Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation's first civil rights law organization. LDF's Equal Protection Initiative seeks to defend and advance the proper interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause and anti-discrimination law so that we can all continue to advance equal opportunity for all. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957 — although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights.