2024 Junior Conference - Philosophy of the Civil Person

Racial Disparities in Maternal Health: Learning More About the Complex Crisis of Black Maternal Mortality

Presenter Information

Ayleah Bowser, Seattle University

Publication Date

2024

Start Date

30-8-2024 2:35 PM

End Date

30-8-2024 3:00 PM

Moderator

Heremela Gebrehiwot

Description

There has been a long ongoing racial disparity in healthcare – the huge disparity between maternal mortality rates in the Black community compared to other races. My project aimed to analyze the historical background and possible causative factors influencing maternal mortality rates among Black women. I also expanded on solutions based on the data I used in my research. I used a multi-method approach. I was using qualitative data based on public health records including demographics and quantitative historical accounts. My findings showed that many systemic factors were behind this issue, including a lack of diversity in labor and delivery, a disproportionate rate of social determinants of health in the black community, and a lack of prenatal care. My suggested solutions are providing free prenatal care through public health departments, expanding Medicaid coverage, and increasing hospital DEI policies. Overall, Black maternity mortality is rooted in history but is carried on by current healthcare policies. Some of these policies include a lack of diversity in labor and delivery and OB-GYN care. As well as the lack of access to prenatal care in the black community. Some solutions to my issue are access to prenatal care and resources as well as greater DEI policies in hospitals and learning environments.

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Aug 30th, 2:35 PM Aug 30th, 3:00 PM

Racial Disparities in Maternal Health: Learning More About the Complex Crisis of Black Maternal Mortality

There has been a long ongoing racial disparity in healthcare – the huge disparity between maternal mortality rates in the Black community compared to other races. My project aimed to analyze the historical background and possible causative factors influencing maternal mortality rates among Black women. I also expanded on solutions based on the data I used in my research. I used a multi-method approach. I was using qualitative data based on public health records including demographics and quantitative historical accounts. My findings showed that many systemic factors were behind this issue, including a lack of diversity in labor and delivery, a disproportionate rate of social determinants of health in the black community, and a lack of prenatal care. My suggested solutions are providing free prenatal care through public health departments, expanding Medicaid coverage, and increasing hospital DEI policies. Overall, Black maternity mortality is rooted in history but is carried on by current healthcare policies. Some of these policies include a lack of diversity in labor and delivery and OB-GYN care. As well as the lack of access to prenatal care in the black community. Some solutions to my issue are access to prenatal care and resources as well as greater DEI policies in hospitals and learning environments.