Maternal Health

Black women in the United States face disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, with statistics revealing that they are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. Additionally, Black women are 2.5 times more likely to receive late or no prenatal care, exacerbating the challenges they face during pregnancy and childbirth. Black Maternal Health is crucial because every mother deserves access to safe and equitable healthcare, regardless of race.  

According to data from the Frederick County Black Maternal Health Disparity Report, the proportion of women who sought early prenatal care is lower for Black women than it is for their white counterparts. Correspondingly, Black women residing in Frederick County had higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight, compared to white women. Despite the statewide decline in the infant mortality rate over the past decade, in Frederick County rates have been increasing. The infant mortality rate increased by 7% between 2016 and 2017 among black infants, but decreased 7% among white infants and 13% among Hispanic infants.  

Racial biases at the individual, community, institutional, and societal levels play a role in perpetuating racial and ethnic disparities in maternal outcomes. These biases undergird the root cause and drivers of Black maternal health disparities. By addressing systemic barriers and advocating for change within healthcare systems, she aims to strive towards a future where Black mothers receive the care and support they need for healthy pregnancies and births. This is how we build healthier communities. 

Factors that contribute to these disparities include:

• Quality of healthcare
• Chronic conditions
• Structural racism
• Implicit bias
• Poverty
• Inadequate access to healthcare
• Chronic stress
• Infant mortality In 2021, infants of Black non-Hispanic women had the highest mortality rate (10.55) of any racial group.
• Pregnancy-related complications Black women are more likely to experience complications such as preeclampsia and eclampsia. They are also more likely to have preterm births and low birth weight infants.