Black Maternal Mortality: The causes

The statistics show that Black women are almost three times more likely to die due to pregnancy-related complications than White women, and that Black newborns are more than two times as likely to die than White newborns. These statistics are deeply disturbing, the high maternal mortality rate Black women face is an issue that has not been addressed to a remotely sufficient extent. A question is posed: Why does this disparity exist? The troubling answer to this question lies in an exploration of systemic racism and implicit bias in healthcare.

One of the causes behind the high Black maternal mortality rates is implicit bias in healthcare workers.

Implicit Bias in Healthcare

Systemic racism has existed in American institutions for centuries, and healthcare is no exception. Research has indicated that implicit biases held by medical professionals can negatively impact the quality of care that Black patients receive. A systematic review published in the National Library of Medicine indicates that a large number of healthcare providers hold implicit biases towards people of color, which can lead to health disparities for people of color. 

Implicit biases can and have led to inadequate pain management, insufficient monitoring, and disregard of Black women’s feelings and requests during pregnancy. Institutionalized racism is unacceptable and damaging, and is proving to be fatal in the healthcare industry. Through advocacy and education, it is crucial that we bring awareness to this issue and dismantle the systemic prejudice that exists in healthcare, as well as in other aspects of American life.

Redlining and Gentrification

Redlining and gentrification are both systemic processes which have historically been used to place Black Americans in a cycle of poverty and displacement. A study published in the National Library of Medicine now indicates that pregnant women living in redlined neighborhoods affected by gentrification face increased odds of experiencing severe maternal morbidity — that is, life-threatening complications during pregnancy. These two forms of institutionalized racism are proving themselves to be more harmful and dangerous than ever as they exacerbate the Black maternal health crisis, further revealing that this issue is one that goes beyond healthcare as a singular institution, rather holding deep roots in discrimination and injustice.