MESSAGE FROM DR. RAMOS

This April, we join you, our partners, and many others across the nation in observing National Public Health Week (April 7-11) and Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17)— two observances that give us an opportunity to underscore our commitment to fostering healthier communities and advancing equity in maternal care.

National Public Health Week celebrates the vital work of public health professionals and emphasizes the importance of building healthier communities for all. 2025 also marks 155 years since the state established the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), one of the country's first state public health departments where I previously served, highlighting our longstanding dedication to public health initiatives.

Black Maternal Health Week brings attention to the significant disparities Black women and birthing individuals face during pregnancy and postpartum. In California, organizations across the state are actively addressing these issues through various initiatives. CDPH's Centering Black Mothers in California report, informed by Black women leaders and community members, outlines findings and recommendations to improve the health outcomes of Black mothers and babies in California. If you haven't, I encourage you to read the report and check out the Facebook Live conversation I recently hosted on Black maternal health with comedian and maternal health advocate Angelina Spicer and Dr. Kimberly Gregory, Vice Chair of Women’s Healthcare Quality Performance Improvement in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

These observances exemplify California's dedication to addressing maternal health disparities and promoting equitable care. May we all continue to uplift the voices of those with lived experience, keep equity at the heart of our work, and build a future where everyone can access respectful, high-quality, and comprehensive care. Let's continue, together in health.

Juntos en salud,

Dr. Diana Ramos

California Surgeon General

Preconception Medical Assessment (PreMA)

The Preconception Medical Assessment (PreMA) is a quick, 8-question quiz that’s all about you—your health, your goals, and your future. It’s not complicated or overwhelming—just a simple check-in to help you understand how your current health might impact a future pregnancy.

CALL TO ACTION: Help share, repost, and disseminate the quiz directly to people in your community! With permission, leave a few at your local grocery store, laundromat, or beauty shop. Drop off a few in a local library or community center too. Leave the questions, add a local resource, and help us get PreMA into the hands of those who need it.

Here’s what makes PreMA different:

It’s designed for everyday life. You don’t have to be in a clinic or exam room to start thinking about your health. Whether you're at the laundromat, the grocery store, or scrolling on your phone during a lunch break—PreMA is there. It’s a conversation starter, a moment of reflection, and a chance to take charge of your health on your own terms.

Because planning for the future—whether it's tomorrow or years from now—starts with knowing where you stand today.

Take it anytime, anywhere. PreMA is just the beginning of a healthier, more informed you.

PreMA is now available in Spanish!

Un comienzo sólido para las latinas es un comienzo sólido para California

Por Dra. Diana Ramos y Kasey Rivas

En California, más del 80% de las muertes relacionadas con el embarazo se pueden evitar. Aun así, cada año, madres y personas embarazadas continúan perdiendo la vida. En muchos casos, la diferencia entre vivir y morir no depende de intervenciones médicas complicadas ni de tecnología avanzada. Muchas veces, lo más poderoso es hacer preguntas en el momento justo. ¡Juntos podemos salvar vidas con algo tan simple como una conversación oportuna.

National Public Health Week

National Public Health Week gives us an opportunity each April to recognize the everyday efforts that help keep our communities safe and healthy.

Public health is for everyone, not just in emergencies but in everyday life, from heart health to mental wellness to food safety and beyond.

For 155 years through prevention, innovation, and science, the California Department of Public Health has worked to protect the health of Californians remains committed to promoting a healthier, safer California for all.

PARTNER CORNER

Meet Mighty Little Giants

Mighty Little Giants is a community organization supporting families with children in the NICU by bridging the gap for families. They provide monthly peer-to-peer mentoring, emergency financial support, and life after the NICU life skills. The MLG Literacy Corner provides partnering hospitals with bookshelves full of children’s books from which parents can choose and read to their baby on a daily basis, and jump start their home library. Essential Self Care Kits are provided at no cost to mothers in the NICU/NICCU, on bedrest, and mothers of full-term children experiencing postpartum depression in Southern California.

Black Maternal Health Week

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, Dr. Ramos hosted a community conversation with comedian and maternal health advocate Angelina Spicer and Dr. Kimberly Gregory.

DYK: Black mothers are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than any other group?

Let's work together as providers and community partners to improve health outcomes in California for all Black mothers, birthing people & their babies.

Community Conversation on Black Maternal Health Week

Black Birth Equity Summit

The Black Birth Equity Summit brings together birth equity leaders, policy and government officials, public health professionals, philanthropists, clinicians, midwives, birthworkers, and passionate advocates.

The call for proposals to present at the summit is now open through May 12, 2025. This is a great opportunity to showcase your ideas and expertise to support healthy and thriving Black families. Learn more about this year's event at cabirthequity.org.

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST

Strong Start & Beyond: Partnering for Progress Webinar

April concluded our winter webinar series that started last November, covering a range of topics from fitness and nutrition to cardiovascular health and preconception wellness. Did you miss any or just want to relive the moment? All recordings are archived on our website under the Webinars tab.

Office Hours with Dr. Diana Ramos (Audio Series)

The next episode of our new audio series is now available on YouTube. Dr. Shareif Taraman joins Dr. Ramos for a conversation on the intersection of maternal and child health and health innovation. In case you missed it, the first episode is also available on our YouTube channel with Dr. Afshan Hameed on cardiovascular and maternal health.

Issue Brief: Addressing Cardiovascular Health in Connection with Maternal Health

Stay tuned for the upcoming release of our issue brief on cardiovascular health filled with insights from the summit we hosted with health care leaders and community partners back in February during American Heart Month.

Have suggestions on collaboration or interested in being featured in an upcoming newsletter or other communication channel? Contact us for consideration at strongstartandbeyond@osg.ca.gov.

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