Black Maternal Health

Black women have the highest risk of pregnancy related death, complications, and infant mortality of any ethnic group within the United States. Despite declining trends in mortality over time, social inequalities substantially affects infant and maternal mortality. Geographical, educational, and financial disparities of those in disadvantaged socioeconomic groups are persistent and without change will continue to rise over time.

In 2018, the five leading causes of infant deaths were birth defects, pre-term birth & low birth weight, injuries, sudden infant death syndrome, and maternal pregnancy complications. (CDC, 2022). While all birth defects cannot be prevented, women are encouraged to increase their chances of having a healthy baby by promoting healthy behaviors before pregnancy ever occurs.

Proper nutrition can prevent birth defects. Black communities in both urban and rural areas are more likely to experience food insecurity and live in food deserts. This is defined by the lack of access and therefore inability to purchase quality fresh-food. For decades, supermarkets have avoided black neighborhoods within urban areas, while expanding in predominantly white suburban communities. Consequently, groceries have become more expensive and harder access. Therefore these communities are left to source calories from highly processed, pre-packaged foods.

Women can experience health problems during pregnancy (complications), that involve the mother’s health, fetus’s health, or even at times both. Getting early and regular prenatal care can help decrease the risk for problems by enabling health care providers to diagnose, treat, or manage conditions before they become serious.(Clayton, 2020) In order to access quality pre-natal care, one has to have the time and financial means to attend appointments. Black women are more likely to experience gaps in health coverage or be uninsured altogether. This can create a financial burden and be a further barrier to accessing care.

It is important to shed a light on the many disparities in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly how it affects black women. Too many black women are dying in pregnancy and childbirth. Healthcare workers, policymakers, and communities have to work together in order to implement systemic change to improve Black maternal health. Black women deserve safe, healthy, and supported pregnancies and births.

Love,

K.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 6). Working together to reduce Black Maternal Mortality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html

Clayton, J. A. (2020, April 8). Black Maternal Health: Amplify the conversation and Act. National Institutes of Health.