Racial Disparities in Maternal Health Highlighted by Tori Bowie's Tragic Death

The death of Olympic track and field star Tori Bowie from pregnancy complications has highlighted the racial health disparities that lead to maternal health complications for Black people, regardless of their economic status or clean bill of health. Black women are three to five times more likely to die in childbirth than any poor white woman. These disparities exist for Black people despite their health, economic, and education status. Researchers have long connected these health disparities to institutional racism, which often leaves Black women with little access to quality prenatal care.