The Century Foundation released a commentary on ONDCP’s report about maternal health and substance use disorder on January 13th, 2023, noting that “the increasing criminalization of substance use in pregnancy disproportionately affects Black pregnant and postpartum people,” and makes recommendations for Congress to act.
From the commentary: “Due to systemic racism and inequality, Black birthing people face significant barriers to care throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period… This is particularly troublesome when we consider how the drug overdose crisis is affecting Black women at a disproportionate rate. From 2015 to 2020, overdose deaths among Black women increased by 144 percent—surpassing drug overdose death rates for women of any other race.”
Among its recommendations, the Century Foundation highlights the Moms Matter Act and the Into the Light for MMH and SUD Act of 2022.
