02/24/2026
Black History Month 🤎 & Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)
February is a time to honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of the Black community — and it’s also an important time to talk about heart health from the very beginning of life.
❤️ CHD is the #1 birth defect in the United States, affecting about 1 in 100 babies.
🖤 Black infants experience higher rates of infant mortality related to congenital heart defects compared to white infants.
🏥 Studies show Black children with CHD are more likely to face:
• Delays in diagnosis
• Barriers to specialty cardiac care
• Higher postoperative complications
🤰🏾 Access to quality prenatal care and comprehensive fetal ultrasounds plays a critical role in timely detection of CHD — helping families prepare for life-saving interventions at birth.
📢 Awareness matters. Advocacy matters. Equity in cardiac care matters.
At Hole In The Heart, we believe every baby — regardless of race, zip code, or insurance status — deserves timely detection, access to specialty care, and the chance to thrive.
This Black History Month, let’s commit to listening, learning, and working toward heart health equity — for every child. 🤎❤️
Medical Resource: Journal of the AHA: Health Care Policy & CHD: 2020 Focus on Our 2030 Future
