Author: Sanjana Kapuria
Maternal health is a crucial component of healthcare that should be accessible to all women, irrespective of their racial background. In fact, maternal mortality is a common indicator of health and socioeconomic development, highlighting its importance in population health. Nonetheless, studies have found that Black women face significant disparities in maternal health outcomes relative to white mothers. These disparities are influenced by many factors, including a disproportionate lack of access to quality healthcare. In this blog, we will explore the variables that determine access to healthcare and their impact on the maternal health disparities faced specifically by Black women.
Income disparities, educational attainment, and employment status are key deciding factors in healthcare access. Limited financial resources can make it difficult for Black women to seek prenatal care and other maternal healthcare services. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are more likely to experience poverty, with a poverty rate of 21.2% compared to 8.8% among white women. Moreover, educational disparities hinder health literacy, with a mere 23% of Black women aged 25 and older having a bachelor's degree or higher, relative to 37% of white women (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021, Beech et al., 2012). These statistics are represented in the non-uniform access to healthcare facilities across communities; Black women living in underserved regions are often faced with healthcare deserts, (i.e., a scarcity of nearby healthcare facilities). As per reports, 21% of Black women lived in counties with limited access to maternity care compared to 3% of white women (da Silva et al., 2022). Transportation barriers further exacerbate the problem, making it difficult for women to reach healthcare facilities in a timely manner.
Moreover, institutional racism within western healthcare systems contributes to disparities in maternal health outcomes. Racial biases and stereotypes that affect the quality of care provided to Black women can lead to suboptimal treatment, delayed diagnoses, and inevitably, poorer health outcomes. In fact, Black women are four times more likely than white women to begin receiving prenatal care as late as the third trimester, if at all (Hill, Artiga, & Ranji, 2022). As a consequence of the discrimination faced by Black women, they develop mistrust for the healthcare system, thereby deterring them from seeking timely care in the future.
The disparities experienced by Black women in maternal health are intricate and diverse. To effectively tackle these disparities, we must assess the various factors influencing healthcare accessibility. A comprehensive strategy involving policy interventions is required to address this gap. For example, by improving funding for community health centers near Black women, implementing anti-discrimination training for healthcare providers, and increasing the availability of affordable prenatal care services, Black maternal mortality can significantly decline. Additionally, education campaigns are crucial in highlighting maternal health disparities, thereby fostering equitable care. By eliminating the disparities discussed in this blog, equitable access to high-quality maternal healthcare for all women, regardless of their racial or ethnic backgrounds, can be achieved.
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