Current:Home > NewsThe Black Maternal Mortality Crisis and Why It Remains an Issue-LoTradeCoin
The Black Maternal Mortality Crisis and Why It Remains an Issue
View Date:2025-01-13 22:38:04
The U.S. has the worst maternal mortality rate of high-income countries globally, and the numbers have only grown.
According to a new study published in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association – maternal death rates remain the highest among Black women, and those high rates have more than doubled over the last twenty years.
When compared to white women, Black women are more than twice as likely to experience severe pregnancy-related complications, and nearly three times as likely to die. And that increased rate of death has remained about the same since the U.S. began tracking maternal mortality rates nationally — in the 1930s.
We trace the roots of these health disparities back to the 18th century to examine how racism influenced science and medicine - and contributed to medical stereotypes about Black people that still exist today.
And NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, a nurse midwife and professor of nursing at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, about how to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women.
In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Brianna Scott. It was edited by Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Joan says 'Yes!' to 'Golden Bachelorette' finale fantasy beach proposal. Who did she pick?
- Shark attacks, critically wounds woman at NYC's Rockaway Beach
- COVID-19 hospitalizations in the US are on the rise again, but not like before
- It’s International Cat Day 2023—spoil your furry friend with these purrfect products
- Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments
- Ex-Pakistan leader Imran Khan's lawyers to challenge graft sentence that has ruled him out of elections
- As a writer slowly loses his sight, he embraces other kinds of perception
- Leighton Meester Shares Her and Adam Brody's Super Sweet Dinnertime Ritual
- Police capture Tennessee murder suspect accused of faking his own death on scenic highway
- Chris Noth Admits He Strayed From His Wife While Denying Sexual Assault Allegations
Ranking
- Shawn Mendes quest for self-discovery is a quiet triumph: Best songs on 'Shawn' album
- Man sought for Maryland shooting wounded by Marshals during Virginia arrest
- Let Us Steal You For a Second to See Nick Viall's Rosy Reaction to Natalie Joy's Pregnancy
- Celebrating Auburn fans can once again heave toilet paper into Toomer’s Oaks
- Who's hosting 'SNL' tonight? Musical guest, start time, where to watch Nov. 9 episode
- Trump plans Iowa State Fair stop, though he won’t attend candidate chat with GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds
- Bachelor Nation's Nick Viall and Fiancée Natalie Joy Are Expecting First Baby Together
- 3 years and 300 miles later, Texas family reunited with lost dog
Recommendation
-
This is Your Sign To Share this Luxury Gift Guide With Your Partner *Hint* *Hint
-
It's International Cat Day. Here are 10 inspiring feline stories to celebrate.
-
Coroner’s office releases names of 2 killed in I-81 bus crash in Pennsylvania
-
Trump plans Iowa State Fair stop, though he won’t attend candidate chat with GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds
-
Top Federal Reserve official defends central bank’s independence in wake of Trump win
-
SafeSport suspends ex-US Olympic snowboarding coach Peter Foley after sexual misconduct probe
-
Jay-Z’s Made In America fest canceled due to ‘severe circumstances outside of production control’
-
After 2023 World Cup loss, self-proclaimed patriots show hate for an American team