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Each year, February brings us another opportunity to promote love, heart health awareness, and be inspired by the diversity, strength and contributions of Black communities as we celebrate Black History month.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both women and men in the U.S. Nearly 1 in 3 deaths are due to cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure affects almost half of all adults. Men are more likely to develop heart disease at younger ages, and both men and women benefit greatly from early prevention and control of risk factors.
In California, heart-related conditions are a leading contributor to pregnancy-associated mortality, and nationwide, Black women experience maternal death rates roughly three times higher than White women, often driven by underlying cardiovascular risks and inequities in care. We know prevention works. Small, consistent steps such as staying active, eating nourishing foods, managing stress, and getting regular health exams can make a life-saving difference.
Black History Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, leadership, and achievements of Black leaders who have shaped our communities. This February and beyond, let’s prioritize protecting our heart health, celebrate our shared history, and continue our work toward a healthier, more equitable California.
Juntos en salud,
Dr. Diana Ramos
California Surgeon General
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American Heart Month highlights the importance of cardiovascular health, the leading cause of death for women in California and across the nation. Heart disease and related conditions can often be prevented through early detection, routine care, and healthy lifestyle choices, yet disparities persist- particularly for women of color and those facing barriers to care.
Despite being the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., heart disease remains an overlooked cause of pregnancy associated deaths. Cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease don’t just pose immediate pregnancy risks, they increase lifelong health concerns.
This February, join us in emphasizing prevention, awareness of heart health risk factors, and access to timely, culturally responsive care to support healthier hearts and healthier communities.
| | On our new Cardiovascular Care webpage, explore our issue brief on Improving Cardiovascular Health, revisit our conversation on the intersection of cardiovascular and maternal health with Dr. Afshan Hameed, and learn more about pregnancy-related heart disease. | |  | Earlier this month, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos joined San Diego County’s Love Your Heart campaign to celebrate 15 years of raising awareness of the silent dangers of heart disease. Know what your blood pressure numbers mean for your risk for heart disease. | | |
$55 Million Global Initiative Launches to Transform Women’s Heart Health
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women, yet millions remain undiagnosed. VISIBLE: Women’s Heart Disease Revealed is a new $55 million global research initiative led by Wellcome Leap to improve diagnosis and treatment of coronary microvascular disease, a condition affecting many women who are told their hearts are “normal” despite ongoing symptoms and elevated risk. The program aims to increase accurate diagnosis from less than 1% to more than 80%, transforming care for women worldwide.
| | "One Small Thing" Campaign Continues to Support New, Postpartum Moms | | |
The postpartum period, or the year after childbirth, is one of the most vulnerable and isolating times for mothers. In California, more than 60% of pregnancy-related deaths occur after hospital discharge, when medical visits taper off and social support often falls away.
Across California and beyond, we are calling on everyone to do One Small Thing for a new mom, such as babysitting, providing a ride, delivering a meal, and more. Your small act of kindness could be the support mom needs — and you could be the eyes and ears that help her recognize when she might need medical care.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
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Do one small thing for a new mom in your life.
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Record a short video or take a photo of your “one small thing” and share it on social media using the hashtags #OneSmallThing, #StrongStartAndBeyond, and #MaternalHealth.
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Invite others to support a new mom as well, including your family, friends, neighbors, workplaces, and community groups.
Learn more about the campaign and how to get involved at OneSmallThingCA.org.
| | NEW: Office Hours with Dr. Diana Ramos | | |
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Step into Office Hours with Dr. Diana Ramos, an audio series where health meets real talk. Hosted by the California Surgeon General, these conversations tackle health issues that truly impact everyday life.
In episode 11 of our new season, Dr. Ramos discusses Artificial Intelligence (AI) in maternal health with Dr. Melissa Wong, Director of Informatics and AI Strategies and Assistant Professor of Maternal Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Office Hours with Dr. Diana Ramos is now available on both YouTube and Spotify! Be sure to subscribe and follow for upcoming episodes with other guests.
| | | ICYMI: Improving Menopause Health Care | | |
In case you missed it, as part of his 2026-27 budget proposal, Governor Gavin Newsom released a budget trailer bill proposal to support the inclusion of expanded perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopausal health care in the state. The proposal would:
- Improve prescription drug coverage for symptoms of menopause by requiring certain health plans to cover FDA-approved treatments for perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopausal symptoms, including coverage in the Medi-Cal program
- Increase consumer and provider awareness by requiring plans to screen enrollees age 40 and older for menopause during primary care and OB/GYN appointments
- Notify health plan enrollees of the menopause services available to them
- Provide professional training incentives for physicians who specialize in menopause care
- Invest $3 million to support a statewide public awareness campaign
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Black History Month is a time to honor the leadership, resilience, and contributions of Black communities, including the advocates, clinicians, and organizers who have advanced health equity and justice.
It is also an opportunity to acknowledge and address persistent health disparities that disproportionately impact Black individuals and families, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease and maternal mortality.
This month, we reaffirm our commitment to equity, community partnership, and action toward better health outcomes for all.
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| | | | Recognize, Respond, and Connect Training | The Recognize, Respond, Connect: Supporting the Behavioral Health of Our Students (RRC) training is now available to all California school staff. Developed by the California Department of Public Health's Office of School Health, in partnership with the UCLA-UCSF ACEs Aware Family Resilience Network, this no cost, 50-minute online training helps educators working with students in grades 7-12 to: |
- Identify warning signs of mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges.
- Apply trauma-informed approaches to support students.
- Recognize when and how to connect students to additional help and resources.
The RRC training aligns with the requirements under California Education Code Section 49428.2(c).
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| ICYMI: Maternal Health Awarenss Day | | |
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In case you missed it, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a letter last month recognizing 1/23 Maternal Health Awareness Day in the State of California, joining many families and organizations across the U.S. in reaffirming our commitment to supporting mothers in our communities by advancing respectful, evidence-based care.
Although California has a lower mortality rate than any other state in the nation, even one more preventable death is one too many. When mothers thrive, our communities thrive, bringing us closer to a healthier California for ALL.
| | | Events, Webinars & Other Opportunities | |
2026 AWHONN California Conference
February 18-21, 2026 | Long Beach, CA and Virtual
The 2026 Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) California Conference will bring together women’s health, obstetric, and neonatal nurses for education, collaboration, and professional development. This hybrid conference will feature sessions on key clinical and public health topics impacting maternal and infant outcomes. Conference sessions will cover topics including surrogacy considerations, menopause management, breastfeeding challenges, the health impacts of air pollution, and congenital heart defects, offering practical insights for those working across the maternal and neonatal care continuum.
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Unlock the Power of PeriStats
February 19, 2026 12:00-1:00 PM ET | Virtual
Join the March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center for a PeriStats User Training focused on navigating and applying the open-access PeriStats data platform to strengthen maternal and child health initiatives.
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Engaging Community Partners in Health Equity Research
February 23, 2026 12:00-1:00 PM PST | Virtual
This free webinar is hosted by the Office of Faculty Development and Engagement in collaboration with the Health Equity Action Leadership (HEAL) Network and the Stanford Center for Continuing Medical Education. It is focused on practical strategies for engaging community partners in health equity research. This session will explore collaborative approaches that strengthen partnerships, improve outcomes, and advance equity with a particular focus on addressing health disparities through community-centered research.
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February 25, 2026 1:00-2:00 PM ET | Virtual
Join the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA) for a virtual research presentation examining maternal mental health conditions among active-duty service women. This session will feature research findings on the prevalence of maternal mental health conditions among active-duty service women between 2016 and 2022 and highlight considerations for supporting military mothers.
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February 26, 2026 3:00 PM ET | Virtual
March of Dimes and the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) invite you to a webinar introducing the Low-Dose Aspirin for Preeclampsia Prevention Implementation Guide for Clinical Teams. This session will highlight how evidence-based recommendations can be translated into clinical workflows to improve maternal health outcomes.
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March 10, 2026 | Virtual
Join the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA) for its annual National Day of Action. Participants will meet virtually with federal elected officials to advocate for maternal mental health programs serving families nationwide. The registration deadline is February 19.
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March 17-18, 2026 | Virtual
Hosted by the Policy Center for Maternal Health, this forum will convene leaders, clinicians, advocates, and policymakers to advance maternal mental health systems and policy transformation.
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April 21, 2026 | Virtual
Join the EnviroNatal Network for a virtual symposium exploring how environmental change intersects with maternal and infant health. The event will center shared learning, cross-sector collaboration, and practical strategies for communities nationwide.
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June 4, 2026 | California Endowment Center, Los Angeles
Early registration is now open for the 29th Annual Quality of Life for Families Conference, a one-day, in-person conference focused on challenges in perinatal care from pregnancy through the fourth trimester. This year’s conference will highlight strategies to improve continuity of care for birthing people, neonates, and families, with an emphasis on inclusivity, informed decision-making, and postpartum transitions from hospital to home.
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Advancing Black Birth Equity Together in California
Building on the “Centering Black Mothers in California” report, codeveloped by birth equity leaders across the state, the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) newest action plan lays out the steps being taken to improve the health and well-being of Black mothers and their families throughout the state. CDPH remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the critical and unique needs of Black families and other marginalized groups across the state with meaningful community collaboration.
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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