May 15, 2023

Racism in Childbirth: Black Families Face Higher Mortality Rates in the wealthy USA

Research uncovered an uncomfortable truth regarding childbirth outcomes: even affluent Black families are at a higher risk of maternal mortality than similarly economically privileged white families. This study shatters the commonly held misconception that financial resources alone can shield Black mothers and infants from the impacts of racial discrimination. Instead, it reveals the presence of deep-seated structural inequities within American society.

The findings expose a broken healthcare system that fails to protect the lives of Black mothers and infants, perpetuating an ongoing cycle of racial disparities. From inadequate prenatal care to insufficient postpartum support, systemic racism leaves no space for an equitable opportunity at survival.

Read the full article by Claire Cain Miller, Sarah Kliff and Larry Buchanan via the New York Times