Addressing the Disparity: Maternal Mortality Rates Among Black Women

The maternal mortality rates in the United States are alarmingly high, with a significant disparity among Black women. A public health issue that demands immediate attention, maternal mortality's racial disparity highlights the need for changes in prenatal care, improvements in hospital practices, and community education. This blog will explore the current maternal mortality rates among Black women, the underlying causes, and the steps that can be taken to address these inequities.

The Current Maternal Mortality Rates

The United States has the worst maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births as of 2018. While concerning in itself, the statistics for Black women are even more disheartening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, with 37.1 deaths per 100,000 live births.

These statistics underscore a significant and complex issue within maternal healthcare and the need for sweeping reforms and targeted support systems.

Unraveling the Underlying Causes

The disparity in maternal mortality rates among Black women stems from various factors, including:

Systemic Racism and Bias: Unconscious bias and systemic racism within medical settings contribute to inadequate prenatal care and treatment for Black women. Medical professionals may have implicit racial bias, affecting their interpretation of a patient's symptoms, treatment recommendations, or responsiveness to complications.

Social Determinants of Health: Factors such as access to quality education, income, safe housing, and availability of healthy food options can impact maternal health outcomes. These social determinants disproportionally affect communities of color and contribute to the racial disparity in maternal mortality rates.

Underlying Health Conditions: Black women are more likely to face chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, which increase the risk of pregnancy complications.

Leaning onto Doulas for Support

Doulas can play a significant role in reducing the maternal mortality rates among Black women due to their unique position in navigating complex maternal healthcare contexts. Doulas provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and shortly after childbirth. This ongoing support can significantly enhance maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women suffering from the systemic inequities in the healthcare system.

With a doula involved in the maternity care continuum, Black women may feel more empowered in their birth experience, which can contribute to better clinical outcomes. This inclusive, patient-empowerment approach to care could be a path to reducing maternal mortality rates in the Black community.