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Black Maternal Mortality

All articles tagged with #black maternal mortality

health2 years ago

Olympian's Death Sheds Light on Black Maternal Mortality Crisis

Olympic track and field star Allyson Felix is drawing attention to the Black maternal mortality crisis following the death of her teammate Tori Bowie, who died after suffering complications related to childbirth. In an essay published by Time, Felix called on the medical community to do more to address the issue, citing her own experience with preeclampsia while pregnant with her daughter. The CDC reports that the maternal mortality rate for Black women is 2.6 times higher than that of white women. Felix hopes that Bowie's death will bring greater awareness to the issue and lead to positive change.

health2 years ago

The Alarming Rise of Black Maternal Mortality Rates in Virginia.

Black women in the US are nearly three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, with maternal death rates spiking significantly in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue, with pregnant women more likely to become very sick and die from the virus. Other factors contributing to maternal mortality rates include hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and preterm birth. Systemic racism and healthcare disparities also play a significant role, with Black women historically at higher risk due to social determinants of health. Advocating for oneself, having a doula, and policy changes such as the Black Maternal Health Momnibus act can help improve outcomes for Black expectant mothers.