Key Takeaways:
- Among developed countries, the U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates. These rates are especially high for Black Americans.
- Black Mammas Matter Alliance (BMMA) established Black Maternal Health Week in 2018 to raise awareness about the crisis.
- There are many things that birthing people and healthcare professionals can do to combat Black maternal health disparities. For example, healthcare professionals can inform their patients of health signs and partner with their patients to create pre- and post-birthing plans.
News of pregnancy often marks the beginning of an overwhelming but exciting journey. For those from underserved communities, this news can be overshadowed by fear. Despite advancements in obstetric health care, the U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries. The rates of Black maternal mortality are particularly high.
Below, we discuss the Black maternal health crisis and what medical professionals, health care systems and more can do to combat these disparities. We also cover what else can be done to address this crisis.
What Is the Black Maternal Health Crisis?
The Black maternal health crisis explains the healthcare disparities and injustices that Black Americans experience during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. According to a 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are almost three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related issue compared to their white peers. These health issues are avoidable if patients receive decent healthcare. In addition to heart-related issues like high blood pressure and blood clots, Black pregnant Americans are commonly subject to discrimination, which increases the likelihood of mortality.
These statistics are not new — the higher rate of pregnancy-related mortality for Black birthing people has not decreased since the U.S. started tracking this data in the 1930s. In fact, data from the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that Black maternal fatalities have doubled over the last two decades.
The Black maternal health crisis stems from longstanding structural and systemic racism. These forms of discrimination led to medical stereotypes about Black Americans, which persist today.
The Rise of Black Maternal Health Week
In 2018, the Black Mammas Matter Alliance (BMMA) established Black Maternal Health Week, which takes place in mid-April each year. This observance is meant to highlight and encourage action to fight the racial disparities that Black women face in maternal health care. The federal government officially recognized Black Maternal Health Week in 2021 when President Biden signed a proclamation to raise awareness about the maternal health crisis.
The Federal Government’s Efforts To Address the Black Maternal Health Crisis
In 2020, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act was first introduced. The historic act was sponsored by the Black Maternal Health Caucus, a group of members from Congress that aim to advance policies to combat the maternal health crisis. The act consists of 13 bills designed to address each aspect of the maternal health crisis in the U.S.
In 2022, the federal government released the Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, which details what the government will do to help the crisis. In 2023, it designated $103 million to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support maternal health. This move was one of its most notable efforts to combat the crisis.
Ways We Can Combat Black Maternal Health Disparities
Given how pervasive the Black maternal health crisis is, it requires an approach that addresses maternal and infant health before, during and after birth. To improve maternal health, everyone from birthing people and families to medical professionals and health care systems must take action. Below are a few steps that everyone can take.
What Families and Birthing People Can Do
- Consider sharing your thoughts and concerns about the crisis and its effect on maternal care with your healthcare provider.
- Embrace support from loved ones to make you feel more comfortable at pregnancy-related events such as appointments.
- Connect with healthcare professionals and support systems, such as a therapist or birth doula before and after pregnancy.
- Learn the symptoms of heart and blood pressure issues during pregnancy and have your blood pressure checked regularly.
- Create birth and postpartum plans with your loved ones and healthcare team to learn your options and make sure everyone is on the same page.
What Health Care Professionals Can Do
- Recognize their implicit bias and educate themselves about the longstanding health care disparities Black Americans face and ways to mitigate these stereotypes.
- Inform patients about critical maternal warning signs and when it is best to get medical attention
- Understand why other support professionals, like a doula, may be helpful for Black mothers and birthing people, and create a list of recommended professionals to refer patients to.
- Make a conscious effort to be more aware of your patient’s pain during care and labor.
- Encourage and help patients to create birth and postpartum care plans.
- Treat all patients with attentiveness, respect and care.
What Health Care Systems Can Do
- Implement training to healthcare providers about recognizing and combating conscious/unconscious bias and stigma.
- Ensure a diverse healthcare workforce by creating a pipeline of Black maternal healthcare professionals.
- Educate young healthcare professionals about Black maternal health disparities during training.
- Seek feedback about the quality of prenatal and postpartum care from patients and make improvements.
What Else Can Be Done To Address Black Maternal Health Disparities?
You do not need to be a birthing person, medical professional or healthcare organization to advance maternal health equality in the U.S. Individuals can help in a variety of ways, including by advocating for policies that prioritize maternal health and supporting organizations that provide health care services to birthing people. In addition, people can help by participating in maternal health-related community initiatives or by simply making an effort to learn more.
A good way you can get started is by checking out grant-making organization Fund II Foundation’s NurtuHER Series. In January 2024, the foundation launched the NurtuHER Series as a part of its Black Maternal Health (BMH) Equity Project. The series is meant to educate others on how to properly support expectant Black families throughout their birthing journey.
To learn more about Black maternal health, additional forms of systemic racism and other engaging topics, follow Robert F. Smith on LinkedIn.
