SAN FRANCISCO – Today, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos, joined by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, released the California Maternal Health Blueprint and announced the launch of Strong Start & Beyond, a groundbreaking movement to reduce California’s maternal mortality rate 50%, by December 2026. The California Maternal Health Blueprint is the framework that outlines the strategies to improve reproductive and maternal health.
“The best investment to ensure the health of a newborn is to ensure the health of the mother,” said California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos. “By leveraging powerful partnerships and pioneering cutting-edge solutions, together we can help California mothers, pregnant people, and newborns have a strong start and healthy future.”
“California is uniquely positioned to build on proven initiatives that enhance maternal health and reduce disparities,” said Jennifer Siebel Newsom, First Partner of California. “We are setting critical goals to improve maternal health outcomes and creating a robust support network for mothers, from preconception through postpartum care, addressing the diverse needs of our population and setting an example for the nation.”
WHY THIS MATTERS: 80% of maternal deaths in California are preventable. Along with implementation of evidence-based healthcare strategies, Strong Start & Beyond is inviting people to have a voice in their health. The movement focuses on historically marginalized groups to rebuild trust and promote active participation in their health decisions. Pregnancy is a crucial indicator of future health, with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and depression often reemerging later in life.
CALIFORNIA MATERNAL MORTALITY BY THE NUMBERS:
- Leading causes of maternal deaths: Heart Disease (23%), Bleeding (14%), Behavioral Health (mental illness/substance overdose) (12%), and Infection (excluding COVID-19 infections) (12%).
- Black mothers experience a maternal mortality ratio three times greater than the state average.
- Hispanic individuals represent 48% of all births in California and face increased rates of chronic disease, including heart disease and diabetes.
“Reducing maternal mortality isn’t a ‘should’, it’s a ‘must’,” said Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “California gets it. The state’s launch of Strong Start & Beyond is a perfect fit with the Biden-Harris Administration’s unprecedented efforts to tackle preventable deaths among mothers and babies at birth and beyond.”
DEVELOPED BY A CROSS-SECTOR ADVISORY GROUP: The Strong Start & Beyond movement was shaped by a diverse advisory group from healthcare, government, community organizations, business, and technology. This cross-sector advisory group ensured recommendations and resources are scientifically sound and reflective of California’s diverse communities.
ABOUT STRONG START & BEYOND: Led by Dr. Diana E. Ramos, an Obstetrician Gynecologist who has provided reproductive care to thousands of Californians over the past three decades, the launch of Strong Start & Beyond marks the start of the Office of the California Surgeon General’s statewide effort to improve maternal health. This movement will unite ongoing healthcare efforts with the needs identified from community voices to reduce California’s maternal mortality.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT: The California Surgeon General invites all Californians to pledge their support and partner with us in this critical movement. With the participation of our diverse communities, healthcare teams, and public/private partnerships, we can reach this goal – together.
For Governor Newsom’s Proclamation on Strong Start & Beyond, click here.
For photos and videos from today’s announcement, click here.
For inquiries or to schedule an interview, contact media@osg.ca.gov.
For more information about Strong Start & Beyond, visit StrongStartandBeyond.org.
Follow the Strong Start & Beyond campaign on the Office of the California Surgeon General social media platforms:
- Facebook: com/CASurgeonGeneral
- Instagram: @casurgeongeneral
- X: @CA_OSG
BIGGER PICTURE: This work serves as a bridge between ongoing maternal health efforts and programs in California, including the California Department of Public Health, the California Department of Health Care Services, and other partners— all of which complement efforts at the federal level led by the White House, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
###