Black Maternal Health Crisis: A Call for Change
- Gail McShan-Elly
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
There is a frightening disparity in maternal healthcare for black women. As we celebrate Black maternal health week, let’s examine why we need to prioritize this critical healthcare issue.
The Troubling Facts on Black Maternal Healthcare
Black women are much more likely to die postpartum due to bias in healthcare, poor follow‑up care, and long‑standing social inequalities. In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that Black women experienced a maternal mortality rate of 44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births. This figure is alarmingly higher than the rates observed among White women (14.2), Hispanic women (12.1), and Asian women (18.1). A significant portion of these maternal deaths occur not only during pregnancy and delivery, but also in the postpartum period and up to one year following birth.
Additionally, Black women experience further health risks that reach beyond physical concerns. Issues such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and postpartum depression significantly impact their health.
These pregnancy-related conditions significantly reduce quality of life, resulting in an estimated loss of hundreds of thousands of quality-adjusted life years for Black mothers.
These inequalities have deep roots in historical injustices due to systemic racism, limited access to quality medical care, higher uninsured rates, and racial discrimination. Recognition and treatment of complications is often delayed as a result, and chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes are more common and frequently undertreated among Black women.
Past experiences and systemic inequities can cause a lack of trust between patients and providers, impacting communication, outcomes, and engagement. This highlights the need for culturally sensitive care to rebuild trust and ensure every patient's voice is respected.
Advocating for Change
Notably, 80% of these fatalities are considered preventable. Nurses play a critical role in prevention by listening to patients, spotting warning signs early, and teaching mothers when to seek help. They also have a positive impact on changing the disparity of infant deaths. Black babies in the United States are over twice as likely to die compared to White, Hispanic, or Asian infants. Key contributing factors include pre-term births, low birth weight, and inadequate prenatal care.
According to an article in America’s Best in Medicine, postpartum nurses are vital in lowering maternal deaths and closing disparity gaps. Their efforts include:
Providing education to encourage urgent care-seeking after discharge
Quickly identifying warning signs, such as excessive bleeding, high blood pressure, or breathing issues
Making sure patient concerns are acknowledged and escalated when needed
Building trusting relationships to overcome communication challenges
National Advocacy Efforts
In February 2021, Former President Joe Biden signed the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, the first bill from Rep. Lauren Underwood’s broader Momnibus package to become law. The law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement maternity care coordination programs and study racial and ethnic disparities in maternal outcomes among pregnant and postpartum veterans. The law is an important step in addressing unique maternal health risks faced by veterans.
Building on the enactment of the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, every eligible provision of Underwood's Momnibus was included in the Build Back Better Act. The 12 bills in the Momnibus were designed to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, including midwives and doulas; invest in community-based organizations working to promote maternal health equity; address social determinants of health like housing, nutrition, and environmental conditions; and expand access to maternal mental health care to ensure that every family in America can thrive.
Although enacted, it has stalled in the House; however, portions of the act have been adopted in 13 states. Unfortunately, many programs, initiatives, and requirements authorized through Momnibus legislation were appropriated with no or minimal funds, resulting in slow, phased execution and implementation challenges. Cuts to the federal Medicaid program further restrict state budgets, which can make it harder for states to fulfill key priorities outlined in Momnibus legislation. Senator Cory Booker recently reintroduced it to Congress.
Childbirth should be a time of joy, not anxiety or danger. Black mothers and infants deserve equal access to high-quality maternity care, not as a privilege, but as a right. Continued effort is crucial to making equity in maternal health a genuine priority.
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McShan-Elly is a writer for hire specializing in health, careers, and financial empowerment. With a background in banking and communications, she works closely with businesses to provide digital marketing content. Contact her at mcshanellyg@yahoo.com.
