The Importance of Addressing Maternal Mortality in Black Women’s Health Care
The tragic passing of Tori Bowie, world-renowned sprinter and three-time Olympic medalist, confirmed a problem that has been present in our healthcare system for far too long: Black women, particularly those who are pregnant, are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Bowie, who was eight months pregnant when she passed away, suffered from respiratory distress and eclampsia, which were found to be possible factors in her death. According to certified nurse midwife Da’na Langford, complications like these are much more prevalent in Black women’s pregnancies, and it’s time for us to start addressing this major issue.
The Statistics
The statistics on maternal mortality rates for Black women versus white women in the United States are alarming. Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from childbirth-related complications than white women, and this likelihood only increases if the individual is over 30 years old or has a bachelor’s degree. This issue isn’t just relegated to one geographic area or one health care provider. It is nationwide, and it disproportionately affects one demographic over others.
In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 births. In comparison, the mortality rate for white women was only 26.6 deaths per 100,000 births. The rates for Hispanic women were lower than that for Black women but still significantly higher than those for white women.
The Causes
There are many reasons why Black women are more likely to die from childbirth complications. The most significant of these is systemic racism and bias in the healthcare system, which makes it difficult for Black women to receive proper care. This bias can manifest in various ways, from providers dismissing the patient’s complaints, to delayed or incorrect diagnoses, to inadequate follow-up after discharge. Financial barriers and transportation issues can also play a role in keeping Black women from accessing the care they need during pregnancy and after giving birth.
Another factor is a lack of diversity among healthcare providers. Studies have shown that Black patients feel more comfortable and get better care when they see doctors and nurses who look like them. The healthcare system should prioritize recruiting and retaining Black healthcare professionals to ensure that all patients, including Black women, receive the best healthcare possible.
The Solutions
One solution to address the high maternal mortality rates in Black women is to provide culturally sensitive care that addresses the factors that put them at higher risk. One center in Euclid, Ohio, is doing just that. Healing Village, founded by Da’na Langford and his business partner, provides healthcare services for Black women specializing in pregnancy support.
Healing Village offers services such as prenatal care, postpartum care, and mental health services, all while appreciating the cultural nuances of their clients. The center also works with health care providers such as MetroHealth Medical Center and the Cleveland Clinic to ensure that Black women receive complete and proper care during and after their pregnancies.
Healing Village has already made a tremendous impact, and its recent receipt of a $1million grant is further evidence of the importance and necessity of addressing maternal mortality rates among Black women. Other medical professionals, organizations, and healthcare facilities should take note of Healing Village’s success and work to implement similar services to ensure equitable care for all women.
Conclusion
Tori Bowie’s passing is a tragedy that highlights a problem affecting too many Black women in this country. We need to work towards significant changes in the healthcare system to ensure that every woman, regardless of race, receives the best possible care during pregnancy and childbirth. Initiatives like Healing Village offer a glimmer of hope and a blueprint for addressing systemic racism in healthcare. It is imperative that we follow their example and work diligently to ensure that the maternal mortality rate for Black women drastically decreases.
Summary:
Black women are three to four times more likely to die from complications in childbirth, especially if they are over the age of 30 with at least a bachelor’s degree. Complications like respiratory distress and eclampsia are much more prevalent in Black women’s pregnancies than in white women’s pregnancies. This issue is due to systemic racism and bias in the healthcare system, financial and transportation barriers, the lack of diversity in healthcare providers, and a need for culturally sensitive care. However, there are initiatives like Healing Village in Euclid, Ohio, that specialize in offering healthcare services to Black women, such as prenatal care, postpartum care, and mental health services, that recognize the cultural nuances and address the factors that put Black women at higher risk. To combat this issue, changes need to be made in the healthcare system to ensure equitable care for all women and to decrease the maternal mortality rate for Black women drastically.
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EUCLID, Ohio — The shocking death of world champion sprinter and three-time Olympic medalist Tori Bowie while eight months pregnant has raised awareness of the dangers women, especially women of color, face when carrying and delivering their babies.
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On Tuesday, an autopsy found possible complications contributing to Bowie’s death, including respiratory distress and eclampsia.
Certified nurse midwife Da’na Langford told 3News that these complications are much more common in black women.
“Here’s what we know: Black women are three to four times more likely to die from complications in childbirth up to a year after delivery,” Langford said.
According to the CDC, the maternal mortality rate for black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, 2.6 times the mortality rate for white women.
Death rates for black women were not only significantly higher than the rates for white women, but also for Hispanic women.
And the rates continue to grow. “If you’re educated, over the age of 30 with at least a bachelor’s degree, that number doubles. It could be five to six times as likely,” Langford says.
So this past February, Langford and his business partner opened healing village on Lakeshore Boulevard in Euclid. The center provides health care for black women and specializes in pregnancy, providing all the support she says they don’t get anywhere else.
“We’re here, we’re recruiting, we’re retaining, we have black vendors, we can do culturally sensitive stuff right down to the vocabulary. It’s as simple as that,” Langford added.
While the babies aren’t born at Village of Healing, they do work with MetroHealth Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic, with more than 600 women taking advantage of Village of Healing to date.
And while Tori Bowie’s death came as a shock, it certainly isn’t a surprise to Langford.
“Tori isn’t the only one. She’s a famous name that it happened to. Black women are experimenting in this country at a ridiculous rate.”
Village of Healing has been an absolute success since its opening. And that success is paying off. The center recently received a $1 million grant to expand to other locations.
More from 3News:
https://www.wkyc.com/amp/article/news/health/death-olympic-star-sparks-conversation-northeast-ohio-womens-healthcare/95-6c2e6501-3266-4fe1-b2cf-240ece1aecd1
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