Racial/Ethnic Inequities in Pregnancy-Related Morbidity and Mortality

Abstract

Racism in America has deep roots that impact maternal health, particularly through pervasive inequities among Black women as compared with White, although other racial and ethnic groups also suffer. Health care providers caring for pregnant women are optimally positioned to maintain vigilance for these disparities in maternal care, and to intervene with their diverse skillsets and knowledge. By increasing awareness of how structural racism drives inequities in health, these providers can encourage hospitals and practices to develop and implement national bundles for patient safety, and use bias training and team-based training practices aimed at improving care for racially diverse mothers.

Keywords: Maternal mortality; Obstetric anesthesia; Obstetrics; Racial disparities; Severe maternal morbidity.