01/05/2026
💗 Black Maternal Health is a Crisis — and Racism Is at the Heart of It 📣
In the U.S., Black women are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women — even when controlling for income and education. This is not about biology — it’s about structural racism in healthcare and society.
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Black women are more than 3 times as likely to die during or after pregnancy than white women.
Some studies show Black women continue to face ~50 deaths per 100,000 live births — while rates for white women are much lower.
Over 80% of maternal deaths in the U.S. are preventable with timely and respectful care.
These disparities persist even when Black mothers have the same education or income as white mothers.
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Black women are more likely to die from cardiovascular conditions, high blood pressure disorders like preeclampsia, hemorrhage, and embolisms — all conditions that quality care can often prevent or manage.
Experiences of implicit bias, discrimination, and dismissal of pain contribute to delayed diagnoses and poorer treatment.
Stress from racism — sometimes called “weathering” — accelerates biological aging, increasing risks during pregnancy and postpartum.
This is about more than numbers — it’s about dignity and justice. Every Black mom should receive equitable, respectful, and high-quality care before, during, and after pregnancy.
📣 Speak up. Share this. Tag your community. Not saying anything is part of the problem. Health equity saves lives — and we all have a role to play.
Dr. Janell Green Smith, CNM should still be here.
