Why is pregnancy a death sentence for Black Women?
A women’s pregnancy can be one of the most rewarding times of her life. Whether planned or not, women should have the agency to carry their children to full term without issues. However, why is it that Black Women are three times more likely to die in pregnancy and five times more likely to die postpartum? A study was conducted by researchers at the Maryland Population Research Center (MPRC) who reexamined death certificates from 2016 to 2017 provided this new rate, a significant increase from previous studies that showed a death rate for black women 2.5 times that of white women. So what is causing this large disparity between the two racial groups?
Researchers found that the alarming death rate for black women is most commonly concentrated among various causes of death. This is consistent with other analyses that supported the previously mentioned causes affecting all racial and ethnic groups. Most likely, postpartum cardiomyopathy (a form of heart failure), blood pressure disorders, hemorrhage (severe bleeding), or blood vessel blockage, which affect black women and other racial groups at a higher rate than white women. Suppose any of these conditions are left undiagnosed, or untreated (or even treated but not up to standard, it leads to death during or after pregnancy. Doctors note that many of these deaths are preventable and take ownership for the lack of vigilance leads to late diagnosis and inadequate treatment.
Unfortunately, it is important to recognize that numerous racial and ethnic boundaries affect these rates and contribute to black women’s high mortality rate. 75% of black women give birth in hospitals meant to serve predominately black populations; these hospitals are often underfunded and have high rates of complications during childbirth, including performing worse than predominately white serving hospitals on 12 out of 15 birth outcomes. Black women have difficulty accessing adequate reproductive health care, especially essential for planning and expecting mothers. So not only are black women more likely to experience postpartum health complications, but there are racial blockages that inhibit access to better treatment for said conditions.
So what have researchers and doctors suggested be done to decrease the pregnancy death sentence amongst black women? Most have recognized that it takes structural, racial, and health reform. Firstly, government officials should expand good health care and maintain it for all individuals. 87% of black women have health insurance, which may seem “good enough” to most, but instead of settling for just the “good,” we should always strive for better. When the coverage gaps are covered, black families will receive good prenatal and maternity care which is critically important for a healthy, surviving pregnancy. Women who lack health care often go without that care or delay it until a later trimester. Lack of prenatal care is directly associated with higher rates of maternal mortality. In addition to receiving equal access to health coverage, doctors need to ensure that the health care provided can meet the specific needs of black women. Too frequent are black women discriminated against in hospitals or clinics. Some women report going to the doctors’ office for check-ups and citing pain and often being ignored. Their issues are being dismissed, leading to health implications, such as the hemorrhage in postpartum, down the road. To ensure the safety and protection of black women in the health care system, society must meet the socio-economic needs of black women.
It is important to address the systematic barriers that deter black women from receiving the adequate health assistance that they need. Nearly every system in America is plagued with discriminatory, socioeconomic, and racial barriers that affect minorities at a despairing rate. The system must be reformed and addressed at the root to improve these conditions. The first step is researching and addressing the rate. Especially since Health Care is outlined as a Human Right and therefore should be equally accessible to all, those who uphold that human right should also promise to the people that the Health Care in question ensures the people’s best interest and best care provided are being upheld. This post started with ensuring the agency of a safe pregnancy for all women, as it is their right to receive that access, hopefully as awareness improves and advocacy gets better and better. We can ensure safe birth and the postpartum period for all women.
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