Maternal mortality refers to deaths caused by complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period. Black women make up 15.4% of the US population of women, while White women make up 60.3%. Despite this dramatic difference, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women.
Currently, in the United States, 31% of the maternal mortality rate occurs during pregnancy, 17% happens during birth, and 52% occurs the day after childbirth. The majority of maternal deaths result from high blood pressure, hemorrhaging, infections, and self-harm. Due to many economic and social factors, Black women suffer from these conditions at a much higher rate.
The CDC reports, “In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black (subsequently, Black) women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.” Since 2018, black women have had the highest maternal mortality rates of any other race. The highest death rate of White mothers is 26.6 compared to the lowest death rate of Black mothers at 37.3.
Black mothers also suffer the same challenges across education and economic lines. KFF.org observes, “Studies find that high-income Black women have the same risk of dying in the first year following childbirth as the poorest White women.” Even when Black women having superior access to healthcare and funding, they still receive lower quality care. These facts point to internal healthcare disparities, rather than issues with Black women.
The CDC reports, “In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black (subsequently, Black) women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.” Since 2018, black women have had the highest maternal mortality rates of any other race. The highest death rate of White mothers is 26.6 compared to the lowest death rate of Black mothers at 37.3.
Black mothers also suffer the same challenges across education and economic lines. KFF.org observes, “Studies find that high-income Black women have the same risk of dying in the first year following childbirth as the poorest White women.” Even when Black women having superior access to healthcare and funding, they still receive lower quality care. These facts point to internal healthcare disparities, rather than issues with Black women.
Black mothers are passing away at an alarming rate. Despite the large population differences between Black and White women, Black maternal mortality rates are improbably higher. With the deaths of Black mothers comes a wide array of familial difficulties like motherless children, single fatherhood, and financial burdens. In many cases, maternal death increases the possibility of a stillborn or death of a newborn. The public health crisis that is the Black maternal mortality rate can only be helped through systematic changes. It isn’t about statistics; it’s about the lives of Black women and their babies.
