illi News - Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Department of Public Health Announce 50% Decline in Overdose Deaths Among Black Women, Marking the Start of Black Maternal Health Week in Chicago

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CHICAGO – Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) recognize Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), celebrated April 11-17, and reaffirm their commitment to strengthening systems and improving birth outcomes for all Chicagoans.

In Chicago, Black women experienced three times the risk of pregnancy-related death compared with non-Black women from 2018 to 2022. The leading causes of pregnancy-related death among Black women in Chicago include diabetes, heart disease, other chronic conditions, and suicide, with substance use disorders (SUD) emerging as the leading cause of death.

A closer look at the data further highlights this disparity: pregnant Black Chicagoans were three times more likely to die from SUD-related pregnancies than individuals of any other race or ethnicity.

"Black Maternal Health Week is a moment for both reflection and action. While we are seeing encouraging signs of progress, we know that far too many Black women and families have carried the weight of inequity for far too long." said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "In Chicago, we are investing in community-driven solutions, expanding access to care, and building systems that treat every mother with dignity and respect. Our work is far from over, but we are committed to ensuring that every family has the support they need to be healthy and secure during all stages of pregnancy."

"During Black Maternal Health Week, we are reminded that our responsibility is preventing the preventable. Maternal deaths are devastating, with lasting impacts on families and communities, and remain a critical public health issue," said CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo "Simbo" Ige, MD, MS, MPH. "We must ensure every Chicagoan can have a safe and healthy pregnancy, as too many Black women enter pregnancy carrying both medical risk and mistrust of the health care system. It takes all of us, families, providers, and communities, to ensure Black women are heard, respected, and taken seriously at every step of care."

Over the past several years, fatal substance use overdose among Black women of reproductive age (15–49) has shown significant changes coinciding with socio-economic shifts. From 2019 to 2021, during and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of deaths increased from 72 to a peak of 133.

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However, as shown in Figure 1, deaths have declined significantly as socio-economic realities, such as healthcare access, economic stability, and living conditions, improved from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping to 69 in 2024—a nearly 50% decrease from the peak in 2021 and slightly below pre-pandemic levels.

The community areas with the highest numbers of deaths were Austin (73 deaths), South Shore (35 deaths), and Ashburn (30 deaths).

In collaboration with partners such as the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), CDPH is working to reduce maternal mortality and eliminate health disparities by implementing several initiatives aimed at reducing pregnancy-related deaths and improving health outcomes.

"Black Maternal Health Week highlights the progress we can make when we address health disparities and invest in communities," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "The nearly 50% drop in overdose deaths since 2021 among Black women of reproductive age in Chicago shows what is possible when we expand access to lifesaving care and invest in community support. Under Governor JB Pritzker's leadership, Illinois is accelerating this momentum through the Blueprint for Birth Equity, strengthening the systems of care that support our mothers. We must continue confronting the systemic barriers facing Black women, so every pregnancy is safe, supported, and healthy."

"Pregnancy-related deaths linked to SUD are preventable," said Dr. Kiran Joshi, Chief Operating Officer of Cook County Department of Public Health. "The disparities we see—especially among Black mothers—reflect systemic gaps in substance use treatment and care. We must expand access to culturally responsive treatment, reduce stigma, and ensure every person has the support they need before, during, and after pregnancy."

Chicago has made meaningful progress in reducing fatal substance use overdoses through community-centered public health strategies. These efforts have been translated into fewer lives lost: from 2023 to 2024, opioid-related fatalities decreased by 38% citywide —the largest annual decrease in nearly a decade — bringing Chicago to pre-pandemic levels of opioid-related fatalities.

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In 2024, CDPH launched the Summer Opioid Response in five West Side community areas—Austin, East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, North Lawndale, and West Garfield Park. In 2025, the initiative expanded to 15 priority areas through the overdose response section of the Summer Injury Prevention (SIP-ICS) program, increasing naloxone distribution and overdose prevention education on the West and South sides of Chicago. These efforts are delivering results:

A 20% reduction in opioid-related overdose Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses from January to August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Citywide, the number of opioid-related overdose EMS responses has continued to decline into 2026, with a 21% decrease from January to February 2025 compared to the same period in 2026. Since 2020, overdose EMS responses have fallen by 50%.

Additionally, the Family Connects Chicago (FCC) program, has played a critical role in improving outcomes for Black mothers. Nurses provide in-home postpartum health checks, newborn care support, breastfeeding guidance, mental health screenings, and connections to community resources. The program is offered free of charge to any family welcoming a new baby at a participating hospital, including foster and adoptive parents, as well as families experiencing a loss.

CDPH partners with 11 Chicago hospitals and since the FCC program launched on October 1, 2022, it has completed 12,251 home visits across the city. In 2025 alone, 4,600 visits were conducted, including 1,353 for Black women, accounting for nearly 30% of all visits that year.

This spring, CDPH will launch the "Partnership for Perinatal SUD Response" in collaboration with Cook County and Illinois Public Health Departments, as well as local hospitals and community partners. The initiative aims to reduce pregnancy-related deaths associated with SUD by identifying missed opportunities for SUD treatment among people of reproductive age.

The partnership will focus on identifying gaps in the current healthcare system, recognizing opportunities for overdose prevention, and proactively connecting women of reproductive age with SUD to critical resources and support.

Through this partnership, CDPH seeks to build a coordinated network of providers and community organizations committed to improving maternal health outcomes.

During the 9th annual Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), CDPH reaffirms that every mother deserves support before, during, and after pregnancy, and remains committed to shaping a more equitable future for maternal health. For a comprehensive online resource for families with children—from newborns to teens—and those planning or expecting a pregnancy, visit OneChiFam.org

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