As the United States sees its first presidential race featuring a woman of color, it’s prudent to think about the critical issues of representation and how it impacts us every day — not just at the ballot box but in all facets of life.
Among these is the dire state of maternal health in the United States, particularly for women of color.
The maternal mortality rate for Black and brown women is not just a healthcare issue; it’s a matter of racial justice.
Demand that Congress protect everyone’s right to reproductive healthcare!
The potential of having a woman of color in the White House highlights the importance of representation, not just in the highest office, but throughout every level of society — including healthcare.
The ongoing disparities in maternal mortality rates are a stark reminder of the systemic racism that continues to plague the healthcare system. The hope is that with leadership that understands these issues on a personal and professional level, we might see a shift in policies and practices that have long contributed to these disparities.
A National Crisis
The maternal mortality rate in the United States is a national crisis, with Black and brown women disproportionately bearing the brunt of this tragic reality. According to studies, pregnancy-related mortality rates among Black women are over three times higher, compared to the rate for White women (41.4 and 13.7 per 100,000). This alarming disparity reveals a deep-seated issue within the healthcare system that urgently needs to be addressed.
Back in 2010, Amnesty International USA discussed this more broadly and reached this conclusion:
Women have a greater lifetime risk of dying in pregnancy-related causes in the USA than in 40 other countries. For women of color, the risks are especially high. Despite the huge sums of money spent on the healthcare system, women continue to face a range of obstacles in obtaining the services they need. This report shows the human cost of these systemic failures and highlights the steps that are urgently needed to move towards a healthcare system that respects, protects and fulfills the human right to health without discrimination.
Even if it doesn’t sound like it, 2010 was more than a decade ago and surely things have only gotten better — right?
Reproductive healthcare restrictions
In short, no. Things have not gotten better and changes in the law, namely the court’s detrimental ruling overturning Roe, have only exacerbated these disparities even further.
With the loss of federal protection for abortion rights, many states have enacted restrictive laws that limit access to reproductive healthcare, disproportionately affecting women of color who already face significant barriers to healthcare access.
New and ever-growing restrictions have forced women to carry high-risk pregnancies to term, increasing the likelihood of complications and maternal deaths, possibly an increase by 24% overall, with an even higher impact on Black women due to existing disparities in healthcare. This is not okay.
Representation matters
The lack of diversity within the medical profession is a critical factor contributing to the maternal mortality crisis.
Black and brown women often struggle to find healthcare providers who look like them or share their cultural backgrounds. Research has shown that patients tend to have better health outcomes when treated by doctors who share their racial or ethnic background. Yet, Black doctors make up only about 5% of the U.S. physician workforce, and the numbers for Indigenous and Hispanic doctors are similarly low. This underrepresentation is not just a numbers game; it reflects the broader issue of systemic barriers to medical education and professional advancement for people of color.
Racial bias in healthcare
Even when Black and brown women do access care, their experiences are often marred by bias and discrimination. Numerous studies and stories from women have documented how healthcare providers are less likely to take the pain and symptoms of Black and brown women seriously.
This dismissal can lead to delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and, ultimately, preventable deaths. For example, a study found that a significant number of medical students and residents held false beliefs about biological differences between Black and white patients, such as the erroneous idea that Black people have thicker skin or less sensitive nerve endings. These misconceptions contribute to the unequal treatment of Black and brown patients and, in the context of maternal healthcare, can have deadly consequences.
Where do we go from here?
We need to do more in a way that targets both the healthcare system and the broader social determinants of health.
A few things that may help could be:
- Increase Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce: Efforts must be intensified to recruit and retain more Black and brown doctors. This includes expanding scholarships, mentorship programs, and support systems for medical students from underrepresented backgrounds. Medical schools should also revise their curricula to include training on the social determinants of health and the impact of implicit bias.
- Bias Training for Healthcare Providers: Unconscious bias training should be implemented for all healthcare providers, with a focus on recognizing and addressing the specific biases that affect Black and brown women. This training should be regularly updated and reinforced throughout a healthcare professional’s career.
- Enhanced Patient Advocacy and Support: Hospitals and clinics should be encouraged to implement programs that empower Black and brown women to advocate for their own health. This could include the use of patient navigators who can provide culturally competent support and ensure that the voices of these women are heard and respected.
- Address Social Determinants of Health: The healthcare system alone cannot solve this crisis. We must also address the social determinants of health that contribute to maternal mortality, such as poverty, lack of access to quality education, and the underlying systemic racism that underpins all of this.
The maternal mortality crisis for Black and brown women is a stark indicator of the broader inequities that permeate our society. It is a call to action for healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to confront and dismantle the systems of oppression that continue to place Black and brown lives at risk.
As the U.S. finally has a woman of color on the presidential ballot, it is also time for the country to become a place where a woman of color is afforded the opportunity to experience a safe and healthy pregnancy.