Maternal mortality rates are up to 2.5 times higher for Black and Brown women than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These racial disparities in maternal and infant health have persisted because of multiple underlying and socioeconomic factors, as well as the role of systemic racism and discrimination in healthcare.
Although maternal deaths have decreased overall, Black women had 50 deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2023, up slightly from 49.5 in 2022, says the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. In 2023, the California Department of Public Health noted that “Black women were more likely than other groups to report being treated unfairly or disrespectfully while giving birth at a hospital.”
Brown women also report bias in maternal care. In March, local author Samina Ali released a memoir, Pieces You’ll Never Get Back, of her harrowing experience with childbirth as a Muslim American. When her preeclampsia was overlooked and her pain intentionally dismissed, Ali discovered that a Brown woman’s wealth and education doesn’t matter.
“There was a sense that as a Brown woman, I should be able to bear more pain,” Ali said in a recent interview with East Bay Express. “What was shocking was that I wasn’t complaining about labor pains—it was immense pain in my head and chest. They thought their medical knowledge was more solid than my knowledge.”
Efforts to lessen the healthcare disparities now span the globe. On April 7, the World Health Organization will launch a year-long campaign titled, “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,” urging governments and the health community to prioritize women’s health and end preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
The good news is that here in Alameda County, the overall maternal mortality rate in 2019-2021 was 5.5 deaths per 100,000 live births—although advocates say those deaths were largely preventable. And while California has one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the country, Black women still have the highest maternal mortality rates in the state.
Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17, is a national campaign led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance that seeks to raise awareness about racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women in the United States.
Of course, the first step in remedying injustices is acknowledging that they exist. Only then can we amplify voices, collaborate and share resources so that all birthing mothers have access to quality healthcare. Reducing preventable maternal mortality is yet another way of advancing overall population health, ultimately improving the economic and ethical vitality of our nation.
Sources:
Disparities in maternal mortality
Maternal Mortality in the U.S Declined, though Disparities in the Black Population Persist
Despite high Black maternal death rate, California hospitals ignored training about bias in care
Most maternal deaths can be prevented. Here’s how California aims to cut them in half
