Why are Black mothers 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than other groups?
Keisha’s Journey: Understanding Maternal Health Disparities
Meet Keisha, a fictional character whose story reflects the challenges many Black mothers face during pregnancy. Research highlights that chronic health conditions, limited access to quality care, financial strain, and systemic biases significantly increase maternal health risks for Black women. Keisha’s story, grounded in research, illustrates these challenges through a personal lens, reflecting maternal health disparities documented in the California Maternal Health Blueprint (California Department of Public Health, 2022).
Chronic Health Conditions
Keisha’s high blood pressure, a condition she has managed for years, now complicates her pregnancy. Chronic conditions like hypertension and heart disease disproportionately affect Black women and are identified as core drivers of maternal mortality disparities (American Heart Association, 2018). Studies show that unaddressed chronic conditions early in pregnancy can escalate minor complications into emergencies (Building U.S. Capacity to Review and Prevent Maternal Deaths, 2018). The California Maternal Health Blueprint highlights the importance of early management of chronic conditions to improve outcomes for Black mothers like Keisha.
Behavioral Health Challenges
Keisha’s anxiety, exacerbated by her pregnancy, reflects a broader disparity in access to mental health care among Black mothers. Research indicates that untreated behavioral health issues during pregnancy increase risks for both mother and baby (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2021). The California Maternal Health Blueprint identifies behavioral health disparities as a critical concern, noting that culturally attuned mental health services remain scarce for women of color, exacerbating these risks (California Department of Public Health, 2022).
Access to Care
Keisha faces significant hurdles accessing prenatal care in her under-resourced neighborhood. Black and Hispanic mothers are more likely to live in “healthcare deserts,” where quality prenatal services are limited (March of Dimes, 2020). Limited access creates preventable gaps that worsen maternal health outcomes, as emphasized in the California Maternal Health Blueprint (California Department of Public Health, 2022). Keisha’s experience highlights the real-world impact of these disparities.
Systemic Bias
Keisha often feels dismissed or unheard by her healthcare providers, a reality supported by studies on implicit bias in maternal care. Black mothers are more likely to report having their concerns minimized, which can delay critical interventions (Taylor et al., 2019). The California Maternal Health Blueprint identifies systemic racism and bias as barriers to equitable care, contributing to poorer outcomes for mothers like Keisha (California Department of Public Health, 2022).
Financial Strain
Keisha’s limited financial resources make it difficult for her to afford consistent prenatal care and other essentials. Research consistently links financial insecurity to higher maternal health risks, with Black and Hispanic mothers disproportionately affected (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). The California Maternal Health Blueprint underscores that financial strain often limits access to necessary services, compounding risks for vulnerable mothers (California Department of Public Health, 2022).
Culturally Relevant Support
Keisha feels unrepresented in the educational resources provided during her pregnancy. Studies show that culturally tailored education significantly improves maternal outcomes, yet such resources remain limited for Black and Hispanic mothers (Alio et al., 2011). The California Maternal Health Blueprint emphasizes the need for culturally attuned support to bridge these gaps (California Department of Public Health, 2022).
Citations
California Department of Public Health. (2022). California Maternal Health Blueprint for Action. Retrieved from https://cdph.ca.gov
American Heart Association. (2018). Cardiovascular disease and maternal mortality: Disparities and prevention. Retrieved from https://heart.org
Building U.S. Capacity to Review and Prevent Maternal Deaths. (2018). Report from nine maternal mortality review committees. Retrieved from https://reviewtoaction.org
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Mental health disorders in pregnancy. Retrieved from https://acog.org
March of Dimes. (2020). Nowhere to go: Maternity care deserts across the U.S. Retrieved from https://marchofdimes.org
Taylor, J., Novoa, C., Hamm, K., & Phadke, S. (2019). Eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality. Center for American Progress. Retrieved from https://americanprogress.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Maternal mortality and social determinants of health. Retrieved from https://cdc.gov
Alio, A. P., Lewis, C. A., Scarborough, K., Harris, K., & Fiscella, K. (2011). A community perspective on factors that influence infant mortality in the African American community. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 15(5), 741–748.