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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ESTABLISHING BLACK INFERTILITY AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WEEK IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Black women in the United States experience unacceptably poor maternal health outcomes, including disproportionately high rates of death related to pregnancy or childbirth, and are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women, numbers that are mirrored in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, a person’s race should never determine their health outcomes, and pregnancy and childbirth should be safe for all. However, for far too many Black women, safety and equity have been tragically denied due to generations of systemic disadvantages in health care delivery and health care access, including lack of access to health care information and services, lack of insurance coverage, denial of therapeutics, limited access to contraceptive services, and cultural biases and discrimination in medical practice and medical education; and
WHEREAS, additionally overall reproductive health challenges affecting Black individuals and families related to challenges such as infertility are related to lack of equitable healthcare access, and the systemic barriers that contribute to reproductive health disparities in the Black community; and
WHEREAS, reproductive health is a lifelong journey that encompasses infertility, maternal health, menopause, and overall gynecological well-being, all of which disproportionately impact the Black community; and
WHEREAS, black women experience higher rates of infertility, higher risks of pregnancy-related complications, and more severe menopausal symptoms, yet often receive less access to quality care, fewer treatment options, and inadequate medical support. However, it is equally important to acknowledge the reproductive health challenges faced by Black men, an often-overlooked aspect of reproductive health in our community; and
WHEREAS, black men face significant barriers to understanding and addressing their reproductive health. Male infertility, which accounts for 50% of infertility cases, is rarely discussed or diagnosed in Black communities. Additionally, Black men face cultural stigmas around discussing infertility, further contributing to delays in diagnosis and treatment; and
WHEREAS, there are also significant health disparities impacting Black men, such as higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, which can all negatively affect reproductive health. Yet, despite the clear need, Black men receive less access to male fertility assessments and treatments, leading to missed opportunities for addressing these issues earlier in their reproductive journeys; and
WHEREAS, infertility alone is a widespread issue, affecting millions of individuals. It is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse for women under 35 and six months for women 35 and older; and
WHEREAS, black individuals experience infertility at disproportionately high rates, with 30% of Black women, men, and couples struggling to conceive, higher than their White counterparts. Additionally, conditions such as uterine fibroids, which affect 80% of Black women by age 50, and sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects Black individuals, increase the risk of infertility; and
WHEREAS, beyond medical challenges, the stigma surrounding infertility and reproductive health issues in the Black community creates profound emotional and psychological distress. In a culture where family and motherhood are deeply valued, many suffer in silence-discouraged from seeking help or speaking openly about their struggles. This silence exacerbates feelings of isolation and contributes to adverse maternal health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, to confront this crisis, Fertility for Colored Girls & The Guys is launching "Hold On to Hope: Infertility and Reproductive Health in the Black Community," a groundbreaking documentary that will feature personal stories from men and women, expert insights, discussions on disparities, and advocacy efforts. This documentary will serve as a powerful educational tool and a call to action, shedding light on the realities of Black reproductive health while providing hope and resources to those in need; and
WHEREAS, this Honorable Body wishes to promote equitable access to fertility resources, and advocate for culturally competent reproductive healthcare across all stages of life, from fertility to menopause, and for both Black women and men;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners thanks and supports the efforts of Fertility for Colored Girls & The Guys and encourages advocacy for the official recognition of National Black Infertility and Reproductive Health Week, to be observed beginning June 23, 2025; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in support of these efforts, be it hereby declared that the week of June 23, 2025, be commemorated as National Black Infertility and Reproductive Health Week in the County of Cook; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy be presented to Fertility for Colored Girls & The Guys as a symbol of our respect and esteem.
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